MUNICIPAL UNITS OF LESVOS ISLAND GENERAL INFORMATION ...
MUNICIPAL UNITS OF LESVOS ISLAND GENERAL INFORMATION ...
MUNICIPAL UNITS OF LESVOS ISLAND GENERAL INFORMATION ...
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<strong>MUNICIPAL</strong> <strong>UNITS</strong> <strong>OF</strong><br />
<strong>LESVOS</strong> <strong>ISLAND</strong><br />
<strong>GENERAL</strong> <strong>INFORMATION</strong> AND TOURISM<br />
<strong>MUNICIPAL</strong> UNIT <strong>OF</strong> MYTILINI<br />
Mytilini is the capital Municipal Unit of Lesvos. The town of Mytilini was first<br />
founded on the small island where the Enetic castle was later constructed.<br />
Herodotus dates the foundation of the town, in his work " Homer's Life", 130<br />
years after the conquest of Troy, around 1053 a.C. Mytilini reached its highest<br />
development around the 7th-6th century with the philosopher Pittakos and the<br />
poets Alkeos and Sapho. Mytilini got her name by one of Makaras' daughters,<br />
the island' s first colonist.<br />
The Municipal Unit of Mytilini consists of the villages Agia Marina, Taxiarches,<br />
Loutra, Panagiouda, Moria, Alyfanta, Afalonas, Pamphila and the city of<br />
Mytilini.<br />
Impressive buildings of a neo-classic architecture, historical monuments,<br />
unique archaeological treasures, like the mosaic-works found at Menandros' s<br />
House (exhibited now at the Archaeological Museum) and the natural hot<br />
springs compose a rich cultural context. In the centre of Mytilini we will find<br />
the Ministry of the Aegean Sea, the Regional Administration of the North<br />
Aegean Sea and the Central Administration of the University of the Aegean<br />
Sea.
The construction of the waste treatment system, not only contributed to the<br />
improvement of the quality of the citizens' life but led also to the discovery of<br />
archaeological treasures found in the centre of Mytilini. These archaeological<br />
treasures are exhibited either in modern museums or at specially equipped<br />
open - air spaces that are impressive and have a unique historical value.The<br />
town' s foundations are extended over seven adjoining hills. The centre of the<br />
town is divided into three main parts: Kioski, which is a very beautiful suburb,<br />
the central old neighbourhoods and the west neighbourhoods. The efforts of<br />
the authorities to reconstruct the centre of the town and to adapt the needs of<br />
the Municipal Unit of Mytilini to the demands of the new century are<br />
remarkable. Kioski, the old aristocratic suburb of Mytilini where we can find<br />
the new Archaeological Museum, is not far away from the Enetic Castle.<br />
The Castle was situated on the isolated, by the channel of Euripus, part of<br />
Mytilini and seemed like a small island. The channel of Euripus, along which<br />
there were a lot of bridges, had been uniting, in the past, the south port to the<br />
north port dividing, this way, Mytilini in two parts. At Kioski there are still<br />
authentic mansions of a traditional Lesbian architecture. The main street that<br />
goes through Kioski leads to the north port, where we can see the shattered<br />
quay and other ruins of the past. In a small distance from there, there were<br />
found ancient ruins and the entrance of the channel that was mentioned<br />
above.
Important ruins of ancient and roman structures are also discovered in the<br />
north part of Mytilini. Along the coast that starts from the Custom House<br />
(Teloneio), the visitor has the possibility to enjoy an interesting stroll, during<br />
which he will have the chance to admire the mansion, where the old<br />
Archaeological Museum is established, the beach that belongs to the Greek<br />
Touristic Organism (EOT), the small and clean beach, called " t' apeili", and<br />
above that, on a small hill among the pine trees, the bust of Sapho, the<br />
poetess, worked out artistically and given to the Municipal Unit of Mytilini by<br />
the American artist Erietta Fors.<br />
TAXIARCHES - KAGIANI<br />
The village is situated on the east side of the mountain Amali. The big rock<br />
that stands above the village and the magnificent church of Taxiarhes are<br />
responsible for the village's enchanting landscape. The church's characteristic<br />
is its Byzantine Cross-Shaped Rhythm. Its construction has taken place<br />
between 1903 and 1958. At its place there was a smaller one at which the<br />
icon of Taxiarhes - on the south wall of the church-, now placed in a shrine,<br />
was a fresco of the 17th century.<br />
In the market place there is an old fountain dated back to 1753 and restored<br />
in 1875. We should not forget to talk about the remarkable underground
springs with tiled galleries supported by arches. We will find them a little bit<br />
further from the village (going towards Mytilini), close to the chapel of St<br />
Thekla. Next to this ravine, is situated the post-byzantine church of the<br />
Blessed Virgin Mary, the "Potamousa". From the other side of the village<br />
(going towards the village of Loutra), on the rock of St Bartholomew there is a<br />
cave belonging to the neolithic era.<br />
AGIA MARINA<br />
After the village of Taxiarhes, we will find the village of Agia Marina, with a<br />
magnificent view over the airport, the sea and the sunrise. In the lower part of<br />
the village, there is the Basilica of St Marina, with three aisles, built in 1797.<br />
The church has a magnificent wooden sculptured reredos and an episcopal<br />
throne dated back to 1839. Architectural component parts, such as breastworks<br />
and pillars, have been taken from the byzantine temple of the Blessed<br />
Virgin Mary (situated on the top of the mountain Amali), and have been added<br />
to the Basilica of St Marina. The Byzantine Temple, we mentioned above,<br />
offers to the visitor an excellent view through the pine trees. In the village of<br />
Agia Marina we can visit the mansion of the Vernardaki Family. A<br />
monumental fountain dated back to 1818 will also attract our attention. On the<br />
coast of Neapolis, next to the "Lesvos beach" Hotel, the Argalon Paleo-<br />
Christian Basilica has been excavated (with a baptistery, while the central<br />
aisle was decorated with mosaic-works). The whole structure dates back to<br />
the 5th century. Above the airport, the springs of the Lagada River, whose<br />
water was being stored in a built well and a water tower, had been supplying<br />
Mytilini with water. At the moment, the ten water mills that, from the past<br />
century until 1941, had been pumping up water from the same spring are still<br />
well maintained.<br />
LOUTRA<br />
The village of Loutra is situated on the south side of the town of Mytilini and is<br />
gifted with a wonderful view over the sunset and the Gulf of Gera. It is a<br />
beautiful village among an endless olive grove. At its entrance, ruins of the<br />
Roman era have been found. The church of St George (construction 1815,<br />
extension 1840) has an underground reservoir where water from a spring is<br />
stored (holy water). The village' s picturesque character is due to the paved<br />
streets, to the plane trees and to the traditional cafes. At the port of Loutra,<br />
next to the old shipyard that still works, we can enjoy all kinds of fish<br />
delicacies at the traditional taverns.<br />
We can also find there the hotel Zaira, a renovated olive press. On the<br />
picturesque hill, named after the Blessed Virgin Mary, there is an ancient<br />
fortress, while ancient graves were found at the bottom of fuel reservoirs (it<br />
seemed like a seaside ancient small town).
A little bit further from the port of Loutra, at the seaside of Koudouroudia,<br />
where there are also taverns and hotels, apart from the excellent seafood and<br />
the wonderful view over the Gulf of Gera that we can enjoy, we can also go<br />
across the Gulf of Gera by boat to the picturesque port of Gera called Perama<br />
(meaning passage in greek, as it has been for many years a passage for the<br />
inhabitants). To the south of the port of Loutra, on the coast of the bay of<br />
Paleopotamos, an ancient small town has been found. On the seashore of<br />
Agios Ermogenis, named after the small chapel of St Ermogenis situated on<br />
the rock, above the seaside, the visitor has the possibility to enjoy the<br />
swimming, the beach and the delicious delicacies. Along the road that from<br />
Haramida leads to the village of Loutra, a Paleo-Christian Basilica (that<br />
belongs to Tsesmedes) has been excavated. It dates back to the 5th century<br />
and it has a beautiful mosaic-work decorated with birds and vine branches at<br />
the middle aisle. To the north of the village of Loutra, in the middle of the Gulf<br />
of Gera, on a small island, there is the chapel of St Isidoros.<br />
PANAGIOUDA<br />
Panagiouda is a small seaside village with a small port and many cafes and<br />
taverns. Panagiouda is the village, where the inhabitants of the village of<br />
Afalonas moved, after the earthquake of 1867. We had a larger increase in<br />
population in 1928, when refugees came from Minor Asia bringing with them<br />
their own local color.
The Byzantine Church in the centre of Panagiouda, dedicated to the Blessed<br />
Virgin Mary was built in 1896. On the seashore there are a lot of old industrial<br />
buildings (olive press, soap factory, tannery and shipyards) revealing the<br />
inhabitants' activities in the past. The old village is situated on the hill Vounari.<br />
The big ottoman fountain, on the street dates back to 1807.<br />
A little bit further, to the north, there is the old small village of Kalamari with<br />
palm-trees on the beach. At the chapels of St George and St Constantine<br />
there are ancient ruins, while on the other side of the road, at the "Katho"<br />
position, there are ancient ruins of an extended ancient town.<br />
MORIA<br />
Moria is a big and a very beautiful village. In a document that Gatelouzi from<br />
Geneva have written in 1456, Moria is reported, as Morea. The church of St<br />
Vassilios is situated on the exit of the village. It was constructed in 1796, while<br />
in 1932 there was an extension at the construction (a vestibule).<br />
The wooden sculptured reredos dates back to 1781. On the top of the hill,<br />
above the village, there is the church of St Dimitri (1889), which together with<br />
the old school (1848) among the pine trees are a special ornament for the<br />
village. Beautiful houses and picturesque cafes complete the traditional
character of the village. The double fountain at the central square of the<br />
village bears an ottoman inscription that dates back to 1774. In the plain of the<br />
village, very beautiful mansions reveal the glory of the fifty towers that date<br />
back to 1890.<br />
At the same area there was an ancient small town whose ruins are dispersed<br />
everywhere. We can also find there, by the road as we come from Mytilini, a<br />
gallery, known as "Thermelia", which dates back to the Roman era. Above the<br />
gallery, on the hill, there is an ancient marble quarry (320 a. C. - 4th century a.<br />
C) from where marble was extracted for the construction of Mytilini.<br />
PAMFILA<br />
The village of Pamphila is situated on the hill Vounari and is reported in the<br />
code 1565, while it is believed that it is named after the poetess Pamphili, who<br />
is contemporary with Sapho. Along the street that goes through the village<br />
and at its central square we will find very beautiful cafes.<br />
At the entrance of the village there are the High -School - College/Lyceum<br />
and the old Primary School (Vostanio). On the hills Atiganos and<br />
Anemomylos, there were found archaeological treasures/positions/towns,<br />
which belong to the early Copper Era (copper dominion). Beautiful fountains<br />
(one of them bearing an ottoman inscription) decorate the village.
But the monument that imposes to the whole village its structure and its<br />
architecture is the Church of St Varvara. The Church is a three aisled Basilica<br />
where the dome is 12 meters high and three meters long. The construction of<br />
the marble reredos (dated back to 1878) is a creation of the sculptor Ioanni<br />
Halepa (who came from the island of Tinos and who was the son of the<br />
famous sculptor, Giannouli).<br />
In the past, at the place of St Varvara's Church, there was a smaller church,<br />
whose the reredos still exists and is kept at the seaside chapel of St Nikolaos.<br />
The restored building of the Katsakouleio School (dated back to 1911) is a<br />
characteristic example of the Lesbian architecture. In the village, we can also<br />
find very beautiful towers, like the Vostani tower, dated back to 1856 and the<br />
Salta tower dated back to 1842.
At the port of the village of Pamphila, the deserted factories (Attkinson,<br />
Vostani, etc.) reveal the importance of this area in the past. Here, at the small<br />
port, there is also a picturesque tavern, available to whoever wants to taste<br />
delicious delicacies.<br />
ALYFANTA<br />
Alyfanta is a small village to the west side of Mytilini. The Church of St George<br />
was built in 1912. At the central square of the village we will find its only cafe.<br />
To the west, on a hill, there is the chapel of St Nikolaos, the "Alyfantas",<br />
beside which there was an ancient quarry. On the same hill we will find the<br />
cave of Magara, which is characterized, as a sacred place because of the<br />
treasures (pots and coins dated back to the 6th/5th a. C century) that have<br />
been found there.<br />
AFALONAS<br />
The village is situated to the west of the village of Panagiouda. The view from<br />
there is wonderful. The village is reported in the code of 1565 and went<br />
through a very hard adventure after the earthquake of 1867. The Church of<br />
the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is attributed to the architect Adalis.<br />
Very beautiful fountains (one of them dated back to 1837) decorate the<br />
village. Unfortunately, from the 14 towers that we had here, only two remained<br />
intact from the earthquake as well as few houses with "sahnisinia", special<br />
traditional architecture.
The high school was situated on the top of the mountain, on the big plateau<br />
(Epano Alonia, Afalonas), during the Turkish Rule. It was on the same plateau<br />
that the reservists of the "Atlas" organization had fought. A little bit further, in<br />
the surroundings of the chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary the "Armenopoula"<br />
there were found ancient ruins of a big ancient town. To the west, in the<br />
surroundings of the chapel of St George (Patia position) and the chapel of St<br />
Theraponda, there are ruins of a small ancient town, while at the chapel of St<br />
Triada, at an imposing ravine, by the Gulf of Gera, we can assume the<br />
existence of a monastery<br />
AMUSEMENT – SPORTS<br />
As far as swimming and summer sports are concerned the visitor has the<br />
possibility to swim at the specially transformed, by the Greek Organism of<br />
Tourism, beach of Tsamakia. There are also many beaches along the coast of<br />
Mytilini, towards the airport, like the beach of Vigla, of Neapoli, of Kratigos, of<br />
Haramida, of St Ermogenis. Most of the beaches offer many possibilities of<br />
sports by the sea, like canoe, sea-bicycle and windsurfing.<br />
And of course we can admire wonderful paths by making a ride on a mountain<br />
bike. We should not forget to mention that the visitor has the possibility to<br />
organize excursions and tours all over the island, either on foot or on bicycle.
<strong>MUNICIPAL</strong> UNIT <strong>OF</strong> AGIASSOS<br />
Whoever comes in Lesvos island should visit the village Agiasos. This<br />
mountainous Municipal Unit has a particular green nature and excitable<br />
inhabitants.<br />
The inhabitants are distinguished for their sagacity, their industry, and their<br />
intense intellectuality and of course for their good sense of humour. Its narrow<br />
and picturesque streets bring the visitor to another period of time.<br />
The Municipal Unit of Agiasos is a religious and intellectual centre, country<br />
mother of wood carvers and ceramists. It will satisfy many of your<br />
expectations, especially if they have to do with the religion or the arts (theatre,<br />
dance and music), the nature or the tradition.<br />
The village Agiasos got its name from the inscription of the holly icon of the<br />
Blessed Virgin Mary that Agathon from Ierosolyma brought with him. The icon<br />
was named "Mother of God, Agia Sion".<br />
Anagnostirion is the cultural centre of Agiasos. It was founded in 1894, when<br />
the village was still under the Turkish Rule.
The Anagnostirion is still present to the intellectual and artistic occupations of<br />
the village through its activities. Today it is established in its own building,<br />
which is situated at the beginning of the village.<br />
In this building we will find a library with more than 20000 volumes of old and<br />
new books, which concern all the scientific fields, a big reading - room (in<br />
greek, called anagnostirion).<br />
A room for theatrical performances and cinema projections, a folklore<br />
museum and an exhibition room, where paintings are exhibited
Agiasos took its name from the sign of Sacred Icon of Virgin Mary that<br />
brought from Jerusalem the monk Agathon. Sacred the icon Sacred Sion the<br />
name of the monastery.<br />
So Virgin Mary was the reason that the village was created and took the name<br />
also. That is why, those who live in Agiasos love and respect Virgin Mary<br />
much more than anyone else.<br />
This was only the beginning for the history. The fame of the monastery was<br />
expanded even to the Minor Asia. Thousands of people were coming to see<br />
the monastery and the icon of Virgin Mary. Monk Agathon died in 830 a.C.<br />
TRADITIONAL JOBS<br />
WOMEN COOPERATION <strong>OF</strong> AGIASOS<br />
The Cooperation of Women of Agiasos was founded in 2007. Its members are<br />
numbered to be eighty today.<br />
The difficulties that were faced in the beginning were enormous but there was<br />
so much love for creation, that today we can say that the cooperation has<br />
achieved its purposes.
Deal with the embroidery, the woollies, textile, women try to make themselves<br />
useful and offer a lot to the area of Agiasos<br />
WOOD CURVES<br />
The craftsmen, who curved out of wood the reredos of the Church of the<br />
Blessed Virgin Mary, in 1812, were Greek citizens coming from Minor Asia.<br />
The art of sculpture on wood passed from these persons down to the<br />
inhabitants of Agiasos. All the wood curved pieces of work (chests, desks,<br />
tables, chairs, furniture for bedrooms, mirrors, icons etc.) are hand-made, of<br />
an excellent technique and quality and in very reasonable prices. That is why<br />
many clients visit today the workshops and the exhibitions in Agiasos so as to<br />
order carved hand-made furniture..
CERAMICS<br />
The craftsmen, who curved out of wood the reredos of the Church of the<br />
Blessed Virgin Mary, in 1812, were Greek citizens coming from Minor Asia.<br />
The art of sculpture on wood passed from these persons down to the<br />
inhabitants of Agiasos. All the wood curved pieces of work (chests,<br />
desks, tables, chairs, furniture for bedrooms, mirrors, icons etc.) are handmade,<br />
of an excellent technique and quality and in very reasonable prices.<br />
That iswhy many clients visit today the workshops and the exhibitions in<br />
Agiasos so as to order carved hand-made furniture.
<strong>MUNICIPAL</strong> UNIT <strong>OF</strong> AGIA PARASKEVI<br />
The Municipal Unit of Agia Paraskevi is situated in the centre of the island of<br />
Lesbos, among the hills and close to the plain of Kalloni. Agriculture and cattle<br />
rising are the main income sources of the Municipal Unit. In the surroundings<br />
of the Municipal Unit of Agia Paraskevi we will find the most important<br />
archaeological treasures of the island.<br />
The local customs and tradition of the Municipal Unit are of a particular<br />
interest as they combine a remarkable traditional architecture - urban and<br />
rural - with traditional elements that characterize the whole village of Agia<br />
Paraskevi. Few modern changes, that could have influenced the traditional<br />
character of the village, have taken until now place.<br />
The Municipal Unit of Agia Paraskevi is famous for the "Religious Festival of<br />
Tavros". Until now Agia Paraskevi has managed to remain intact to the effects<br />
of the massive tourism' s development. The efforts of the Municipal Unit aim<br />
to the development of a qualitative tourism and the financial development of<br />
the area without affecting its cultural particularity and natural environment. We<br />
should also mention that the picturesque village of Napi belongs to the<br />
Municipal Unit of Agia Paraskevi.
In the village Agia Paraskevi the community' s old olive press has been<br />
transformed into a cultural centre of various activities. At Polykentro, there are<br />
two specially equipped halls, where an exhibition takes place.<br />
In the first one, there is the exhibition entitled "The Museum of the Olive<br />
Press' s Old Engines" and in the second one, there is the exhibition entitled<br />
"The Folklore Museum". The first exhibition is about the engines used in an<br />
olive press. They were made in 1910 and they belong to the Greek factories<br />
of "Isigone" in Smyrna.
In this exhibition we will also find all the archives that regard the construction<br />
of the olive press and its mechanical equipment (correspondence of the<br />
village' s Council with the Isigone Factories, construction contracts etc.). All<br />
this material is of a particular exploratory interest.<br />
The second exhibition contains archives of a rich folklore and photographic<br />
material. Finally, even the same building of Polykentro is of a particular<br />
interest as an old olive press as well as many of the old engines that still<br />
remain at their place.<br />
LOCAL PRODUCTS<br />
In the villages of Agia Paraskevi and Napi, the visitor has the possibility to buy<br />
pure local meat (veal, pork, lamb and kid), dairy products (fresh salt less<br />
butter used for cooking and yogurt).<br />
Α big variety of cheese (white cheese, "graviera"- yellow salty cheese, cheese<br />
stored in olive oil, sweet and salty fresh cheese), poultry grazing in the fields,<br />
eggs, local vegetables and honey of an excellent quality.<br />
Remarkable are the cookies and the sweets of the spoon that the women of<br />
the local cooperation make.We should also mention the rich production in<br />
olive oil of a low acidity as well as the production of ouzo by a local distillery.
CUSTOMS<br />
This festival is the most important popular activity of the village of Agia<br />
Paraskevi and it combines a variety of happenings that regard the ritual of the<br />
bull' s sacrifice. An agricultural group called "Το Ισνάφι των Ζευγάδων"<br />
(Agricultural Association "The Progress") revived this ancient custom in 1774.<br />
It was established as a reverence to St Haralambos, the protector of this<br />
agricultural group (Το Ισνάφι) that organises this festival. The incomes of this<br />
celebration are used for the inhabitants' common profit. The activities that take<br />
place during the celebration of this festival are the following:<br />
The inhabitants concentrate the necessary materials (wheat etc.) for the<br />
preparation of the traditional meal ("kiskek"). The carrying of the decorated<br />
bull around the village with the participation of the local orchestra. The<br />
pilgrims ride decorated horses and being accompanied by the local traditional<br />
orchestra. Sacrifice of the bull at the chapel of St Haralambos situated at the<br />
evergreen mountain of Tavros.<br />
Throughout the night, preparation of the traditional meal accompanied by<br />
popular dances Religious morning mess. The inhabitants return to the village,<br />
where a parade of horses and horse races take place. Amusement at the<br />
central square of the village with the visitors' participation. The last night of the<br />
festival, local inhabitants have fun until the next morning.<br />
These festivals that take place at the village Agia Paraskevi, last for several<br />
day, they start from Friday and last until Monday, usually in the middle of<br />
June. The dances and the songs as well as the popular orchestras that play<br />
traditional lesbian music from the village of Agia Paraskevi and the Minor<br />
Asia, are of a great importance at those festivals. The Religious Festival of<br />
Tavros takes place at the end of the spring and coincides with the preparation<br />
of the harvest. This festival is one of the most important proofs of the survival<br />
of such idololatric customs combined with the Christian popular traditions.
<strong>MUNICIPAL</strong> UNIT <strong>OF</strong> GERA<br />
Municipal Unit of Gera is situated among the green hills and the olive-trees.<br />
It consists of 6 villages, which are the villages Papados, Scopelos, Mesagros,<br />
Plakados, Perama and Paleokipos. The Municipal Unit of Gera is one of the<br />
13 enlarged municipalities of Lesvos.<br />
The Municipal Unit of Gera has always been a united geographical<br />
department and has already been a Municipal Unit since the beginning of the<br />
century.<br />
Apart from its natural beauty, this geographical department has a great<br />
historical and cultural importance.
The Municipal Unit of Gera is 20 kilometers away from the capital of the<br />
island. Communication is made with buses and it is regular. The trip from the<br />
capital to the Municipal Unit of Gera is wonderful.<br />
The climate of the area is very healthy with mild winters and fresh summers<br />
because of the north winds that blow in the area as well as in the whole<br />
Aegean Sea.<br />
Its inhabitants have as their main occupation the cultivation of the olive-trees,<br />
the fishing and the recently developed tourism, which is still being developed.
The villages in the Municipal Unit of Gera have all the characteristics of the<br />
islands of the North Aegean Sea.<br />
Most of the houses have tiled roofs, whitewashed steps and narrow streets<br />
made of stone, called "dousimedes". T<br />
The old castles, such as the Paliοkastro, the Kasteli in Papados and the<br />
Castle in Meti, are some of the sightseeing we recommend to the visitor. It is<br />
almost 20 klm away from Mytilini. You can take the bus since there is often<br />
bus time-table.
A wonderful Municipal Unit, with many sights and wonderful people.<br />
RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS<br />
The Religious Festivals in Scopelos<br />
In Scopelos, the inhabitants celebrate the religious festival of the miraculous<br />
Saint Magdalini, on the 22nd of July, the religious festival of Saint Georgios,<br />
the Bishop of Assos on the 10th of July and the religious festival of Saint<br />
Georgios on the 23rd of April.<br />
The Religious Festivals in Mesagros<br />
In Mesagros, the inhabitants celebrate the religious festival of the Blessed<br />
Virgin Mary, "The Source of Life", on the Friday of the Easter Week.<br />
The Religious Festivals in Papados<br />
In Papados, the inhabitants celebrate the religious festival of Taxiarhes on the<br />
8th of November.<br />
The Religious Festivals in Plakados<br />
In Plakados, the inhabitants celebrate the religious festival of Saint Vlassios,<br />
on the 11th of February.<br />
The Religious Festival in Perama<br />
In Papados, the inhabitants celebrate the religious festival of Saint<br />
Panteleimon, on the 27th July.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SIGHTS<br />
Very deep in time (probably from the third millennium b.C.) there are people,<br />
around the Gulf. The settlement in Chalakies initiated then and is preserved<br />
till nowadays<br />
The excavations have brought to the surface many findings. Remnants of<br />
buildings are spread around the gulf. That era had shown up the<br />
archaeological sight of Manna, a temple and burial monuments.<br />
In that time belongs also the Lion of Gera (archaeological Museum of Mytilini).<br />
At 300 a.C. the settlements of Skopelos and Mesagros are shaped. Also is<br />
olive cultivation is certificated.<br />
Settlements are spread all over the plain, while much more senior prehistoric<br />
bases have located in Agios Grigorios- Kasteli Papados, in Avlonas-Marmaro<br />
are and Tarti. This area has the ancient quarries of Marmaro (5h b.C century).
PERAMA<br />
A walk around the gulf, maybe the most beautiful gulf in Mediterranean, with<br />
wonderful beaches and traditional coffee shops would be ideal.<br />
You may also walk to the close upland of Kariona and Kala Perivolia where<br />
the sky is joined with the pine trees and chestnuts, through the olive grove.<br />
<strong>MUNICIPAL</strong> UNIT <strong>OF</strong> ERESOS<br />
The Municipal Unit of Eressos and Antissa consists of the<br />
villages of Eressos, Scala Eressou, Antissa, Vatousa, Mesotopos, Sigri and<br />
Agra. Each one of them has its own unique history.
Eresos is one of the most famous towns, known for its history and its beauty,<br />
situated to the southwest part of the island.<br />
The village Eresos is built 4 kilometers away from the sea, among arid and<br />
volcanic mountains.<br />
It is a village that maintains its traditional character intact. The wonderful<br />
mansions that decorate the village reveal the economic and cultural<br />
development of the village.<br />
In 1821, first year of Greek revolution the place is connected with a important<br />
naval achievement, that is to say the explosion of a big Turkish martial ship<br />
from Dimitrios Papanikolis.
Leberation came in 1912 and the beautiful town follows the fate of the island<br />
and becomes a part of the free country.<br />
Built 4 kilometers above the sea between volcanic rocks, Eressos preserves a<br />
traditional color. Wonderful buildings adorn the village and reveal the<br />
economica; development that the area had.<br />
Very special is "Theophrastio" one of the most luxurious schools of Lesvos<br />
with neo classic features. Nowadays a kinder garden, a primary and a high<br />
school work at this building.<br />
SKALA <strong>OF</strong> ERESOS<br />
A straight road of 4 kilometres, that passes through the green plain of Eresos<br />
with the rich gardens, the abundant waters and the beautiful country houses<br />
takes us to Scala Eressou and to the famous beach (three kilometres long)<br />
which is the ornament of the area.
Clear, crystal waters and wide sandy beach is enough to seduce any visitor.<br />
The beach of Scale is offered for multiple enjoyments.<br />
By the coasts of Scala can be view Chios and Psara.<br />
ANTISSA<br />
We will find the village of Antissa close to the mountain Courouclo. This<br />
village is built close to the ancient town of Antissa, where the ancient poet<br />
Terpandros was born. Today, the basic income of the inhabitants comes from<br />
the cattle raising and the tourism. As we approach the village Antissa, we will<br />
find on our right, close to the river Voulgari, the Monastery of Perivoli. After<br />
the Monastery of Perivoli, the crossroad, on the right, leads the visitor to<br />
Gavatha, the port of Antissa.<br />
SIGRI<br />
At the past Sigri had been a port protected by the small islands to its west,<br />
from which the biggest is Nisiopi, as well as by the small fortress, which is by<br />
the sea.
In Sigri you have to visit the petrified forest and see the trunks and whatever<br />
lava left in the area.<br />
There is also a modern, contemporary museum so as to see this magic<br />
world.<br />
Today Sigri is a very well organized summer resort frequented by many<br />
tourists, with many beautiful beaches and fresh fish.<br />
The sunset in Sigri is an enchanting and unforgettable spectacle, as we watch<br />
the sun "diving" into the waters of the Aegean Sea.<br />
MESOTOPOS<br />
Village Mesotopos also belongs to the Municipal Unit of Eressos-Antissa.<br />
Whoever is a lover of tradition, but also whoever has forgotten the meaning of<br />
tradition, of hospitality and of decent human behaviour should visit this<br />
outlying village.<br />
Mesotopos is situated to the west edge of the island. It is an ordinary, simple<br />
and tidy village, like all the other greek villages.<br />
Its inhabitants are friendly, kind and very active. We should not forget to talk<br />
about the remarkable beaches Tavari - the port of Mesotopos - as well as the
very clean beaches Chrousou and Podara, where we will find taverns and<br />
rooms to let.<br />
In the village you may visit the new classic building of primary school, the<br />
Laographic museum, the cultural centre. There are also traditional cafe and<br />
the women cooperation, while in Tavari beach there are many taverns with<br />
sea view.<br />
The village is ideal for calm vacations, relaxation and for those who want to<br />
escape from ordinary life and wish to live close to nature...<br />
VATOUSA<br />
The village Vatousa belongs to the Municipal Unit of Eressos-Antissa. It is a<br />
traditional village decorated with the Church dedicated to Taxiarhes and the<br />
Church dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the<br />
surroundings of Vatousa there are three villages; the villages Revma,<br />
Pterounta with the abundant waters and the rich gardens and Hidira, where<br />
the great painter G. Iakovides was born.
CULTURAL CLUBS<br />
CLUB <strong>OF</strong> MESOTOPOS<br />
The Association of Mesotopos named the "Rebirth " (was founded in 1975.<br />
Numbers 800 members and resides in privately-owned room in Dafni of<br />
Athens). Aims the maintenance of beams of communication between its<br />
members, to solve the basic problems of the village, to elevate the intellectual<br />
and cultural level, to maintain and project our popular heritage.<br />
FESTIVAL <strong>OF</strong> ERESOS<br />
Important religious festivals take place in Eresos on the 4th of July the<br />
religious festival of Saint Andrea, on the 20th of July the religious festival of<br />
Prophet Elias, on the 27th of July the religious festival of Saint Panteleimona,<br />
on the 6th of August the religious festival of Sotiros and on the 15th of August<br />
the religious festival of the Blessed Virgin Mary.<br />
FESTIVAL <strong>OF</strong> ANTISSA<br />
Important cultural happenings and religious festivals take place on the 8th of<br />
May, when we celebrate the religious festival of Saint Ioannis Theologus at<br />
the Monastery of Ypsilo, on the 6th of August, when we celebrate the religious<br />
festival of Metamorphosi and on the 21st of November, we have the<br />
celebration of a religious festival to the Monastery of Perivoli.<br />
FESTIVAL <strong>OF</strong> MESOTOPOS<br />
A lot of traditional cultural happenings and festivals take place to the village of<br />
Mesotopos, especially during the first half of August. But the most important of<br />
these celebrations is the religious festival of the Blessed Virgin Mary<br />
celebrated on the 15th of August, a festival that lasts two days.<br />
AGRICULTURAL WOMEN COOPERATION<br />
In December of 1998, the "Agro tourist Association of the Women of<br />
Mesotopos is founded by 26 women.<br />
The official start of the Association's works takes place in February of 1999<br />
and in March of the same year the Association becomes a member of the<br />
Commercial and Industrial Chamber of Lesvos.
Since then sales increased and cooperation developed more. The old working<br />
area was demolished and a contemporary small production unit was built.<br />
Production increased more and more and the women compromised to<br />
continue their good work by maintaining quality and traditional recipes of the<br />
village.
<strong>MUNICIPAL</strong> UNIT <strong>OF</strong> EVERGETOULAS<br />
Municipal Unit of Evergetoulas is situated to the east part of the island of<br />
Lesvos. It consists of the villages Asomatos, Ippios, Kato Tritos, Keramia,<br />
Lampou Myli, Myhou and Sykounta.<br />
The Municipal Unit got its name from the river Evergetoula, which goes<br />
through this area and flows into the Gulf of Gera. The centre of the Municipal<br />
Unit is the village Sykounta, which is 15 kilometres from Mytilini.
SYKOUNTA<br />
In Sykounta is the temple of Virgin Mary, a church that was built in 1870.<br />
There is also a sign made of marble which reveals that an older temple was<br />
there many many years before.<br />
ASOMATOS<br />
The area is found in altitude 301m.it is full of trees, in the Eastern side of<br />
mountain Liakas, next to the elongated mountain range named "Nikonas".<br />
The village existed from the 13th century, before the sovereignty of<br />
Gatelouso. The oldest testimony for the village existence is found in 1246.<br />
The tradition considers that the village was settled initially 3 km northern, in<br />
the place "Chorafelia".<br />
. Then the residents moved in the region of river Andriotis, Named Antreia<br />
Deka and then in current Asomatos area. Settlements are scattered in the<br />
region (round Taxiarches and Saint Vasilios). In Taxiarches and Antreia area<br />
were found graves and traces of settlements.
Centre of Environmental Training<br />
The centre of environmental training is built in Asomatos, 20 kilometers away<br />
from Mytilini, the capital of Lesvos island. It works where the primary school of<br />
Asomatos was.<br />
The programmes that the environmental center applies have as a main target<br />
to make all the students and people to learn how to act in order to protect the<br />
environment so as to help the development of the area.<br />
Agioi Anargyroi<br />
8 km away from Asomatos is found the park of Agioi Anargyroi that rightly has<br />
been characterized as a place that smoothes the soul of visitor [ the chapel<br />
was built in 1881 ]. It is an area in the valley that westwards goes through the<br />
tributary of Evergetoula, framed with pines and all sorts of rich vegetation and<br />
cherry trees.<br />
IPPIOS
Ippeios is the biggest village of the Municipal, having 900 residents. The oldest chronology for<br />
his existence is testified in 1567.<br />
It is built in one of the most fertile plains of island full from gardens with olives, with<br />
horticultural, and all sorts of fruiter.<br />
In the old days the residents used to cultivate cereals, cotton, tobaccos and in particular it<br />
was famous for the most excellent production of figs that were exported also.<br />
The quality of ground gives impulse in the culture of this products and constitutes the basic<br />
employment of residents. In the region "Waters" where sprang abundant waters from the<br />
antiquity, it is today found the main pump room of Municipal of Mytilini..<br />
KERAMIA<br />
We will find the village Keramia on our way to Agiasos some kilometres<br />
before the village of Ippios.<br />
LAMPOU MILOI<br />
Lampou Milloi is a small village with panoramic view to the plain of<br />
Evergetopula and Gera Gulf. It is divided from the national road Mytilini-<br />
Kalloni and is a great area for excursions.<br />
With traditional coffees places and springs. Many years ago there were five<br />
watermills and an olive press in the village. From those watermills came the<br />
name of the village. Moreover this waters supplied the ancient Roman<br />
Aqueduct of Mytilini that passed from there (sources of Taxiarches).<br />
DIPI<br />
We will find the village Lampou Myli (the Mills of Lampi) on our way to<br />
Municipal Unit of Kalloni. The area Dipi in the surroundings of the village<br />
Sykounta.<br />
The area Dipi with its commercial small port, the old industrial buildings and<br />
the taverns, is the port of the Municipal Unit of Evergetoula.<br />
KATO TRITOS<br />
On our way to the Municipal Unit of Gera, some kilometres away from the<br />
central seaside road, we will find among the olive groves the village Kato<br />
Tritos situated between the two hills. This village still maintains its traditional<br />
character.
PIGADAKIA<br />
This area is being slowly developed into a tourist place.<br />
The tourist will find here the only beach of the Municipal Unit<br />
suitable for swimming.<br />
They can also taste fresh fish and other delicacies to the taverns<br />
of Pigadakia.
MICHOU<br />
Michou is settled in the street beyond Kato Tritos area. It was a Turkish<br />
village. In the pane the refugees accomodated Agios Dimitrios in 1927, that<br />
brought him from the Asia Minor.<br />
From here the way to the mountains with the olives, the pines and kastanje's<br />
leads to the chapel of Saint Ioannis.<br />
WATERMILLS MILELLIA<br />
The watermill is lost through the olives. You have to search a lot in order to<br />
see the sign that writes "Mylellia". Here we meet mr. Ioannis.<br />
In 1994 when the householders renovated the mill, they find also a miller and<br />
thus they came in contact with him. Ioannis is the person in charge for the<br />
production of 150 kilos flour total and cold milling.
AGROTOURIST ASSOCIATION <strong>OF</strong> WOMEN<br />
In Asomatos there is an Agrotourist Association of Women.<br />
These women have a traditional cafe and offer traditional house made spoon<br />
sweats. Traditional products of the area are dried figs.
<strong>MUNICIPAL</strong> UNIT <strong>OF</strong> LOUTROPOLI THERMIS<br />
The Municipal Unit of Loutropoli Thermis is formed by the villages: Pyrgi<br />
Thermis, Thermi, Pigi, Komi, Nees Kydonies and Mystegna. 11 kilometres, on<br />
the northeast side of the town of Mytilini, we find the village of Pirgi Thermis.<br />
10 kilometres further from that village, on the east coast, we find the village of<br />
Nees Kydonies.<br />
Between these two villages, which are the physical boundary of the Municipal<br />
Unit of Loutropoli Thermis, we see the villages and the fish-ports that belong<br />
to this Municipal Unit.<br />
The Municipal Unit was named after its natural hot springs.<br />
The history of the name' s origin dates back to the Hellenistic and Roman Era,<br />
when the Greeks and the Romans had built a group of public bath-rooms<br />
taking advantage of the area' s natural gift and its healing abilities and turning<br />
the town into a summer resort. We should not forget to mention that at the<br />
same area, the inhabitants used to worship the goddess Artemis, the natural<br />
hot springs' protector.<br />
Going through the 6th millennium, the place has not lost yet its charm and the
visitor has the possibility to admire the wonderful natural surroundings gifted<br />
with numerous qualities.<br />
The endless olive grooves, the oleanders and the osiers, all over the ravines,<br />
compose the greenest landscape on the island. The medieval rural villages,<br />
hidden among the hills, still remain intact from the modern tourism' s effects.<br />
The past of this place is all over the place obvious; through the marble basrelief<br />
on the traditional houses' walls, through the ancient columns on the<br />
houses' thresholds, through the ancient pots' fragments shattered all over the<br />
area' s coasts, through the miraculous monasteries, as well as the old<br />
churches and chapels.<br />
There is no doubt that, when the first inhabitants settled down at this area<br />
during the 3rd millennium a. C, they would have found Thermi covered with a<br />
natural forest, Mediterranean bushes and endless pine-trees' forests, like<br />
those we find today in our way to Pigi and to Nees Kydonies.<br />
These forests were of great importance for the inhabitants, as they needed<br />
material for their constructions, their boats, cooking and heating, but mostly<br />
for their pottery furnaces. So, the inhabitants had started to denude the plain<br />
of the trees, having this way material and free space for their cultivations and<br />
the construction of their villages.<br />
5000 years later... At the beginning of the 20th century, the English<br />
archaeologist Lamb visits the area. From the excavations that took place,<br />
there were found 5 prehistoric villages belonging to the Early Copper Era<br />
(2800-2400 a. C) and two villages belonging to the Post Copper Era (1600-<br />
1200 a. C), built the one above the other and forming this way a small hill.
Since then, the sea level has risen three metres "rinsing", this way, half of the<br />
hill, removing the prehistoric houses' stones from the hill and accumulating<br />
them on the seashore. After the excavation, this archaeological site has been<br />
covered again with soil, for reasons of protection. Anyone who observes, at<br />
the archaeological museum, the exhibition of this rare prehistoric collection of<br />
ceramics coming from the area of Thermi, can not help asking himself about<br />
the slow rhythm with which the art of pottery has been developed until<br />
nowadays, 5000 years later.<br />
We should mention that during the Ottoman Occupation, at the beginning of<br />
the 19th century, there have been constructed the modern bath-rooms with<br />
separated baths made of marble. Restored in 1997 and work until today. Most<br />
of the fountains that we find in the villages and on the old streets date back to<br />
the Ottoman Era. At the end of the 19th century, a Turkish businessman<br />
finances the construction of the hotel Sarlitza (meaning Yellow Spring).
During the decade of 70s it stopped working due to bureaucratic reasons, not<br />
being able to deal with the new conception that regarded vacations. But the<br />
"Sarlitza Pallas" had been for many decades the most "in" hotel on the island<br />
and had managed to give back to Thermi some of the lost splendour of the<br />
Roman Era.<br />
Although Lesbos had been liberated since 1912 by the Greek fleet, the<br />
Greeks went on living peacefully together with the Turkish people on the<br />
island, until 1922.<br />
The treaty of Lozane that ended the war between the two countries resulted to<br />
a massive exchange of the population. The Greeks of the Minor Asia had to<br />
come back to Greece and the Muslims had to go back to Turkey.<br />
Most of the Greek refugees had settled down to the villages of Pirgi Thermis,<br />
Komi and Nees Kydonies.<br />
PIGI - KOMI<br />
The road that leads us to the village of Pigi follows the path that the river<br />
Tenegia opened through the woody mountains made of limestone on the west<br />
side of Thermi. In the evergreen landscape, where we can hear all over the<br />
ravines of the area the nightingales singing, the visitor will enjoy his coffee<br />
under the plane tree, at the central square of the very beautiful village of Pigi.<br />
We should not omit to visit and admire the Church of St Paraskevi, a<br />
remarkable monument built in 1859. A few years later, refugees coming from<br />
the Minor Asia, settled down to the village of Komi, which has been a Turkish<br />
village.
Another road leads to the chapel of St Charalampos on the mountain Tavros,<br />
where the ancient habit of the bull' s sacrifice takes place, followed by horses'<br />
races and prices. In the Tenegia ravine there are the unique caves of St<br />
Efthymios and of St Ioannis. It is a majestic place, where the hermits used to<br />
live, during the 14th century. There is also a third cave, the cave of St<br />
Philippos. We can easily approach only the first one. If we go further, at the<br />
north, we will find the beach of Agios Georgios, while, if we move on further,<br />
we will find the beautiful beach of Petalidi, where we can also enjoy our meal<br />
at the tavern by the sea. From Petalidi, there is a path that leads to the small<br />
monastery of St Akindini, built during the 17th century (there are no monks<br />
any more).<br />
MISTEGNA – NEES KYDONIES<br />
The village Mistegna is situated on a hill with a view over the horizon and the<br />
sunrise. It is a beautiful village, decorated by the Basilica dedicated to the<br />
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (built in 1860), by the Plane tree and<br />
few mansions. During the summer, the inhabitants move to the village' s small<br />
bay, with the taverns, the ruins of a seaside, small, ancient village and of<br />
course the tourists. Here at Mistegna, a famous kind of stone is extracted. At<br />
the big square, called Plati, the view is wonderful, and there is a Byzantine<br />
castle built at the place of a big prehistoric town.<br />
Along the river that comes from the valley, on both sides, there are ruins of<br />
churches and houses that probably belong to the medieval small town, called<br />
Kydona. It is of a great interest the fact that later, the refugees from Ayvalik<br />
that settled down to the Turkish village Baltzik changed its name to Nees<br />
Kydonies.
At the village Nees Kydonies, the mosque gave hospitality to the Christian<br />
religion, when the Church of St Georgios the Chiopoliti settled down in it.<br />
From here the roads lead to the mountain of Tavros and to the village Agia<br />
Paraskevi, through the wonderful pine-trees' forest. At the seaside of the<br />
village, the landscape is completed by the picturesque small port, the mole of<br />
an ancient port.<br />
Small taverns give the visitor the possibility to enjoy a tasteful meal together<br />
with the wonderful view. On the small island, a little bit further on the north we<br />
can see the submarine ancient ruins of a small town. The village is the natural<br />
boundary of the Municipal Unit Loutropoli Thermis on the north. The whole<br />
area is covered with olive trees, the basic product from which the Municipal<br />
Unit earns its income. We can also understand that, by the big number of<br />
olive presses (8) that work at the Municipal Unit' s villages.<br />
WALKING – FISHING<br />
If the visitor takes a walk through the village of Thermi, he will have the<br />
chance to admire its picturesque streets and the traditional houses as well as<br />
to enjoy the inhabitants' hospitality. The school, a big and majestic building,<br />
constructed in 1931, is a remarkable monument. The picturesque cafes and<br />
the long-lived lilac that covers the market place, offer to the stranger tasteful<br />
coffee, ouzo and coolness. The history is all over the village present, in the<br />
face of the Enetic big mansion that stands above the plain of Thermi and the<br />
Basilica church of the village, built in 1843.<br />
The visitor that prefers the excursions through the nature has the ability to<br />
visit the caves of Thermi, where it is said that monks belonging at the<br />
Byzantine era used to take refuge in.<br />
Finally, the visitor should not omit to visit the famous "cypress" spring, whose<br />
water has refreshed until now many travelers.
At the small fish-port of Thermi the quiet waters colored by the tints of the<br />
sunrise, the picturesque cafes by the sea, the smell of ouzo, the pleasant walk<br />
on the seashore of Agios Georgios, the fishing and the sunset at on the paved<br />
pier compose an unusual and rare landscape.<br />
ARCHITECTURE<br />
During the kingdom of Gatelouzi, at the rural areas close to Mytilini, the<br />
wealthy landowners of Mytilini had begun to construct houses with rustic<br />
characteristics.<br />
The conditions of general insecurity and poverty led a lot of people to steal.<br />
That is the main reason these houses are very well secured. From this type of<br />
house results the particular Lesbian mansion, the most original construction<br />
we meet on Lesbos.<br />
We meet this particular type of mansion in the surroundings of the Municipal<br />
Unit of Thermi, but mostly at the area of Pirgi Thermis, named after these<br />
buildings. These houses are made of stone. They have three floors, small<br />
windows at the ground floor and at the first floor, (for protection) and big<br />
windows with a view over the olive trees at the last floor. The old mansions<br />
(like those that belong to M. Niania and to M. Karapiperi) are influenced by the<br />
Byzantine and Italian tradition. The original mansion, though, has been
influenced by the ottoman architecture (wooden roof with protrusions -<br />
sahnisinia).<br />
SARLITZA PALLAS – SCHOOL <strong>OF</strong> THERMI<br />
The visitor's attention will be certainly attracted by the majestic building of the<br />
hotel Sarlitza.<br />
Although, nowadays it is abandoned, during the period of its highest<br />
development it has offered hospitality to kings, prime ministers and to<br />
patriarchs. We should not forget to mention that the School of Thermi, where<br />
the Congress of Linguistics took place in 1999, is also of an impressive<br />
architecture.
<strong>MUNICIPAL</strong> UNIT <strong>OF</strong> KALLONI<br />
The Municipal Unit of Kalloni consists of seven villages, which are Anemotia,<br />
Skalohori, Philia, Parakila, Skala Kallonis, Papiana, Kerami, Argiana, Dafia<br />
and Arisvi, is situated in the centre of the island.<br />
The area of Kalloni has been the centre and the "lighthouse" of orthodoxy and<br />
culture. Its contribution to the determination of the education' s level,was very<br />
important, thanks to its Monasteries and to its historic Metropolis.<br />
It has been reborn many times from its ashes due to the strong will and<br />
insistence of the locals.<br />
It is Orthodoxy's and Civilization's lighthouse because of the historic<br />
Monasteries, the Metropolis and the local culture.
At the holy Monastery of Limonos - in the year 1530- we find the first school<br />
for clerics and at the holy Monastery of Panayias Myrsiniotissas at the same<br />
year the first school for women - unique in Greece.<br />
There in the year 1804 the Regional Greek Institute had been established.<br />
No matter where we are on the island, we can go to the Municipal Unit of<br />
Kalloni in less than an hour.<br />
In the Municipal Unit of Kalloni we will find a big and modern market place<br />
with shops that can satisfy everybody' s needs.<br />
The Medical Centre of the north west island is situated in the Municipal Unit of<br />
Kalloni.<br />
The inhabitants have the possibility to get there a full medical and<br />
pharmaceutical care.
The visitor has the ability to have fun, go shopping, visit monuments and<br />
churches and generally spend his free hours very nice.<br />
Kalloni is full of life during the whole year.<br />
Is the centre of Lesvos island and the place of real, good life.<br />
PARAKILA<br />
It's a mountain settlement western of the area of Kalloni. The settlement has a<br />
great number of olive trees, lemon and orange trees.<br />
The local peaople are very friendly and offer you a warm hospitality. Their<br />
works are agricultural mainly.<br />
DAFIA<br />
A mountain settlement that we reach as long as we are moving on the main<br />
road of Kalloni-Eressos, 46 klm. away from the capital of Lesvos island.
There you can visit the famous monastery of Limonos. This monastery is full<br />
of plants and flowers, stony buildings and gentle people.<br />
SKALOHOPI<br />
A mountain settlement that we reach as long as we are moving on the main<br />
road of Kalloni-Eressos, 58 klm. away from the capital of Lesvos island. Great<br />
interest shows the building that is used as a school today which is built with<br />
traditional local stones.<br />
AGRA<br />
It is settled 68 klm away from Mytilini. It is a mountain settlement that has<br />
decades of tradition. People of the area are extremely kind, preserve the<br />
traditions of their area and they mainly work with their animals and their olive<br />
trees.
ANEMOTIA<br />
This settlement is 55 klm away from the capital city of Lesvos island. It is a<br />
mountain settlement, having picturesque, traditional small roads. The church<br />
of Saint Georgios is quite known.<br />
FILIA<br />
A small traditional village 50 klm away from Mytilini.Here you can relax since<br />
tranquility is one of the area features.<br />
SALT PANS<br />
In the surroundings of the Gulf of Kalloni there are two saltpans, the saltpan of<br />
Kalloni and the saltpan of Polichnitos. Thanks to their morphology, their<br />
position on the seashore and their function they are a wonderful marsh.<br />
At Kalloni salt pans the visitor can observe the winter the wonderful flamingos.<br />
The flamingos go there due to the plenty food. We can say that the salt pans<br />
are not just a productive area but an alive natural history museum.<br />
<strong>MUNICIPAL</strong> UNIT <strong>OF</strong> MANDAMADOS<br />
The village of Mandamados is a mountainous area. As far as population is<br />
concerned, it is the biggest village to the northeast island, nowadays and<br />
during the Turkish rule as well. Today, the villages of Mandamados, Kapi, Clio<br />
and Pelopi compose the Municipal Unit of Mandamados<br />
The village of Mandamados is directly related with the holly worship of the<br />
Archangel Michael. The whole representation of the Archangel Michael is a<br />
relief. According to the tradition, after a violent attack that either the Agaren or<br />
the Saracen pirates made to the monastery, the only monk that survived the<br />
slaughter (hidden in the roof of the holly church), moulded with soil and blood
from the other slaughtered monks the representation of the Archangel Michael<br />
sitting on a rock. The fact that a big number of villages, including the village<br />
Mandamados, are hidden among the hills away from the sea is due to the<br />
pirates' frequent raids during Middle Age.<br />
The inhabitants of many seaside villages had to leave their homes and their<br />
activities, such as fishing, cattle raising and pottery for their families' sake and<br />
their safety. For the same reasons inhabitants of Mandamados had to leave<br />
the marvelous seashores, where their villages were built. They all gathered<br />
together around the famous and holly shrine of Taxiarhes at the area "Paliou<br />
A' Stratgous (Paleos Archistratigos)", meaning "Old Commander In Chief". At<br />
this area we will find ruins of the first chapel. Since then, Archangel Michael is<br />
considered to be the protector and patron saint of the village of Mandamados<br />
and of the whole island during the Turkish rule.<br />
Many people declare that have seen the saint's vision. Between these<br />
appearances, we include the vision of many inhabitants of the island had, on<br />
the 8th of November in 1912, the date of the liberation of the island from the<br />
Turkish yoke. In this vision Archangel was a horse rider and was leading the<br />
Greek army against the enemy. His fame had expanded out of the island' s
orders, even to the other side of Aegean, to Minor Asia, where it is said that<br />
the Archangel had been deeply respected by the Turkish.<br />
The Bey (Governor) of Ayvalic, sent every year an ox so as to be sacrificed to<br />
the Archangel. A traditional meal was prepared, made of wheat and ox, called<br />
"kiskek". This custom is preserved until today. Before the ox gets sacrificed,<br />
the priest reads a prayer (!) after the vespers of Saturday. We must not forget<br />
that the first olive press of the community, called " I Michani t' agiou" (meaning<br />
The Saint' s Engine), was built with the participation of the whole village, in<br />
1909.<br />
This initiative was a great and rare operation for those days, where the<br />
economical and political power was controled by the notables. Many villages<br />
on the island followed the example of Mandamados. Today, this olive press is<br />
the cultural centre of the village. Since then, the name remained the same. It<br />
should be this way, because during the Turkish rule the church, to whom,<br />
fortunately, enough privileges had been given by law (tanzimat) by the<br />
Turkish, should survey any innovating effort. The privileges given to the Greek<br />
Church were the beginning of the economical turkish subjection.<br />
KAPI<br />
At the northeast side of the island, 300 metres above the sea, at the foot of<br />
the east side of the mountain Lepetymnos is lying the village Kapi. It is about<br />
40 kilometres away from the island' s capital city. It is extended from the north<br />
to the south and has a wonderful view over the opposite eastern Tourist<br />
coasts. Two churches decorate the village. The first is the church of St<br />
Georgios and is situated to the north part of the village. The second one is<br />
dedicated to Blessed Virgin Mary and is situated to the south part of the<br />
village. A small chapel dedicated to St Paraskevi is situated at the village's<br />
central square, under the shade of an old plane tree. Most of the inhabitants'<br />
incomes come from the cultivation of the olive tree and the cattle raising. At<br />
the same time they cultivate their gardens, their "orchards" that are extended<br />
along the east side of the village. During the decade of Sixties, because of the<br />
actual life' s conditions, many inhabitants immigrated.
Today, though, the village maintains its population stable. The village has a<br />
great tradition in music. There were and there still are many musicians. A few<br />
years ago, there were bands of copper wind instruments, called "fyssera"<br />
(meaning blowers), that today because of the modern times' demands have<br />
been replaced by modern instruments. Ever since old times, the traditional<br />
band has been amusing the inhabitants of the village, whenever there was a<br />
family celebration or during the religious festivals but also on Sundays at the<br />
central square of the village. There are many young people in this village. To<br />
earn their living, apart from the cultivation of the fields, they exercise various<br />
professions, such as builders, painters and carpenters, preserving the<br />
tradition of the village in these professions. The women of the village prepare<br />
traditional sweets and marzipans as well as a great number of embroideries.<br />
Today, the visitor has the possibility to admire many small old and new forests<br />
that extend above the village, close to the primary school and the church of St<br />
Georgios. The visitor has also the possibility to admire the mansion of<br />
"Boliouri" that is about to be restored and transformed into a cultural centre. In<br />
the old market place, we will find the buildings "casino", an old cafe and the<br />
shop of Psarros. Those two buildings are characteristic examples of the stone<br />
architecture of Kapi, including also the Mansion "Despotiko", the house of the<br />
bishop Sophronio, who comes from this village. About 5 kilometres from the<br />
village there is the village' s summer resort, called "Yeni Limani" (meaning<br />
New Port). It is an old, small fishermen' s town with a customhouse and a<br />
remarkable commercial life. Nowadays, it is still a picturesque summer resort<br />
with country-houses under the shade of a plane tree. The visitor can also visit<br />
the wonderful beach of "Ferogia".<br />
PELOPI - KLIO<br />
The village of Pelopi had in the past, 17 villages dispersed in the same area<br />
because of the pirates' raids, which had been giving them a hard time. But, as<br />
soon as the inhabitants found an appropriate and forested area, close to the<br />
river Tsiknia, they abandoned the small villages and built there their houses.<br />
They gave to this area the name "Gelia" (meaning laughter), as they had got<br />
rid of the pirates and their life was full of joy and laughter. According to<br />
another version, it is said that, at the beginning, the village was built in a place<br />
bathed by the sun and it was called "Ielia" (ancient word). When the<br />
inhabitants moved to the village' s present place, the name changed into<br />
"Gelia".<br />
The village took its actual name after the Second World War. It was named<br />
Pelopi because it is said that, in the past, a king, called Pelopas, visited the<br />
village.<br />
The village Clio, took its name from the ancient muse "Clio". From the altitude<br />
of 350 metres has a view over the beach and its origins as in the surroundings<br />
of the village there are ruins of ancient towns. A recent research has revealed<br />
an ancient town of the early Copper Era that dates back to 3200 a. C, situated
at the area called Paliocastro. At this area it is believed that there was a<br />
statue representing the Muse.<br />
It was taken by the pirates but we don't know when. There was found<br />
accidentally at Heraklio (ancient town) of Italy a fresco representing the Muse,<br />
protector of the History and the Rhetoric. The natives of the ancient towns, we<br />
mentioned above, during the dark years of the Middle Age and before the<br />
conquest made by the Turkish in 1453, had to move at the place, where Clio<br />
is situated today, because of the pirates.<br />
They wanted to survey the sea in order to prevent the dangerous and bloody<br />
raids. The first buildings were extended from the position "Platanos" to the<br />
position "Hamam" and there were not visible from the sea.Throughout history,<br />
the village extended and developed enough, since there was no danger of the<br />
pirates.
POTTERY<br />
RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS<br />
Apart from the olive production and the cattle raising, another<br />
important element of economical and cultural tradition of<br />
Mandamados is the pottery that passes from generation to<br />
generation and blossoms until nowadays, but its primitive<br />
appearance is progressively disappearing. Today at the area of<br />
Agios Stefanos we can meet the only group of ceramists in the<br />
Northeast Aegean.<br />
This group consists of three persons working the clay with the<br />
traditional way and producing Mandamados' traditional jug.<br />
They have to deal with numerous difficulties in order to maintain<br />
the tradition alive.<br />
Fortunately, in the village there are many ceramists who started<br />
working the traditional way and who have adjusted their art to the<br />
demands of the pottery' s modern technique.<br />
The Religious Festival of St Haralambos takes place at the end of June, on<br />
the mountain Tavros. The day before the festival, horse riders, on their<br />
decorated horses, start from the school' s square heading towards the distant<br />
and uphill Tavro. The inhabitants of Mandamados celebrate this festival<br />
together with the inhabitants of Agia Paraskevi. So, the day before the festival<br />
they gather together and sacrifice the oxes in order to prepare the festival' s<br />
traditional food, called "kiskek".<br />
During the night, they dance and eat together, roasting the sacrificed animals.<br />
The mess takes place on Sunday morning, at the chapel of St Haralambos. In<br />
the afternoon, horse races take place at the area called "Linohoma", close to<br />
Mandamados. The winner takes as a price either a wreath or a handkerchief.<br />
Many years ago the amusement continued till Saturday night.<br />
The Religious Festival of the Myrofores (the women, who looked after Jesus<br />
Christ, after they got him down from the cross). This festival takes place 15<br />
days after Easter, the day of the Church' s inauguration, which was built in<br />
1888 with the participation of the whole village. The Religious Festival of St<br />
Ioannis. This festival takes place on the 29th of August and its celebration<br />
lasts two days with amusement and musical tradition (revival of the old<br />
custom).<br />
The Festival of "Agiou Potamiou" (of the St River), As the inhabitants of<br />
Mandamados love the amusement and the festivals, they invented another<br />
festival with which they seal the end of the summer. It is called the Festival of<br />
"Agiou Potamiou" and today is celebrated at the end of August, while in the<br />
past, it was celebrated at the end of September, before the inhabitants of the<br />
village leave the summer resort and return to the village. In the surroundings
of Mandamados there is the river of Pedi, which is the biggest and which<br />
during the winter joins the sea; as a result, a great number of various fishes<br />
enter in the river and grow there.<br />
During this festival, the inhabitants prepare their harpoons at the point of<br />
which they attach a trap of a substance that stuns the fishes and makes them<br />
an easy prey and a tasteful delicacy to the fishermen and to the inhabitants.<br />
Although this is a barbarous and lousy custom, the law and the police did not<br />
manage to prohibit it.<br />
THE FESTVAL <strong>OF</strong> THE VILLAGE <strong>OF</strong> KAPI<br />
The church of Blessed Virgin Mary is another ornament of the village because<br />
of its stony construction and its majestic entrance, made of curved stone.<br />
Every year, (15th August), the Religious Festival of Blessed Virgin Mary takes<br />
place, followed by the preparation of "kiskek", the traditional meal.<br />
All the inhabitants eat together the "kiskek", while the traditional band<br />
accompanies their feast. In the night, they all go to the village' s square in<br />
order to dance and sing all together, with the local traditional dance groups.<br />
In the surroundings of the village there are many chapels that the inhabitants<br />
visit from time to time.<br />
THE FESTIVAL <strong>OF</strong> THE VILLAGE <strong>OF</strong> CLIO<br />
The celebration of this religious festival is accompanied by musical activities<br />
in the cafes, during the evening.<br />
The religious festival of St Kiryka takes place on the 15th of July, at the cape<br />
of Korakas, a wonderful rural area. The evening before the celebration there<br />
is a vespers that takes place, followed by the preparation of the traditional<br />
meal, "kiskek". The horse riders with their decorated horses spend all the<br />
night there drinking ouzo. The mess and the distribution of the traditional meal<br />
take place in the morning.<br />
The celebration is continued at the seaside summer resort, Tsonia. On the<br />
beach there are two or three cafes, where an equal number of bands play<br />
music in each cafe. Horse races are organized in the evening, starting from<br />
Mandamados until the village of Clio and using a special earthen street for<br />
this purpose.<br />
The winner takes as a price a cup, a wreath and an amount of money. The<br />
celebration is continued at the cafes of Clio (revival of the old custom).<br />
The chapel of St Sotira is situated on the picturesque beach of Tsonia. The<br />
traditional bands and the local traditional dance groups are a part of this<br />
celebration too.
EXHIBITION – CERAMICS<br />
A remarkable cultural happening that we should mention is the Lesbian<br />
Exhibition of Ceramics. This exhibition that has become an institution, takes<br />
place every year, since 1996, at the permanent exhibition hall, available at the<br />
cultural centre of Mandamados, called " I Michani t' Agiou" (meaning The<br />
Saint' s Engine). It is a cultural event supported by the Prefecture of Lesbos,<br />
the Ministry of Aegean and the Ministry of Culture, the Foundation of the<br />
family G. Psaropoulos ("Study Centre of Latest Ceramics") and by the efforts<br />
of the community' s former vice-president and present Mayor, M. Karatzitzi. T<br />
his exhibition lasts during all the month of August. The visitor has the<br />
possibility not only to admire various pottery products, the products that are<br />
made according to the rules of the early pottery era, but also to learn a lot of<br />
things on the history and the development of this art throughout the centuries.<br />
Ceramists from all over the county of Lesbos participate to this exhibition. We<br />
should not forget that pottery and olive oil production have been following a<br />
common path throughout the centuries. The visitor has the possibility to<br />
admire their common history at the yard of the cultural centre, where the<br />
Cheese Festival takes also place, during the first ten days of August<br />
When somebody travels around Greece, he can find almost everywhere a<br />
charming harmonious marriage between history and natural beauty. The<br />
Municipal Unit of Mithimna has the privilege to be one of these places.<br />
Municipal of Mithimna has 1500 inhabitants. It is 62 kilometres from the island'<br />
s capital.
<strong>MUNICIPAL</strong> UNIT <strong>OF</strong> MYTHIMNA<br />
This Municipal Unit is consisted of five villages: the village of Vafio, the village<br />
of Sykamnia, the village of Skala Sykamnias, the village of Lepetymnos and<br />
the village of Argenos. At the Municipal Unit of Mithimna, we will find a Port<br />
Authority, a Custom House, a Police Station, a Financial Service, a Post<br />
Office, a Telegraph Office, a Branch Office of the National Bank of Greece, a<br />
local Office of the Agricultural Service, a Primary School and a Conference<br />
Centre..<br />
As far as the history of this place, we learn from the mythology and the history<br />
that the tribe of Pelasgi were the first colonists of Lesvos.<br />
Homer calls the island the King' s Makaros kingdom. Mytilini, Mithimna,<br />
Antissa, Arisvi, Pyrra and Eresos were said to be the children of this mythic<br />
king. The homonymous towns on the island were named after them.<br />
According to mythology, Mithimna was married to Lesbos, a hero from<br />
Thessalia.<br />
According to another version, she was the wife of Lepetymnos, another hero<br />
who gave his name to the homonymous island's mountain. During the War of<br />
Troy, the town of Mithimna has been damaged many times by the attacks that<br />
the tribe of Acheon made. In one of these attacks, Achilles had besieged the<br />
town, which he conquered after the betrayal of Pisidiki, the King' s daughter.<br />
She sent a message to Achilles with her nurse, that she would surrender the<br />
town if Achilles took her to be his wife.
After the conquest of Mithimna though, Achilles punished Pisidiki by killing<br />
her because she betrayed her country. The ruins of the ancient quay show to<br />
us that the ancient port was situated at the same place, where the new one is.<br />
The main cemetery of the ancient town of Mithimna was situated to the south<br />
of the city' s wall. The graves, which have been found along the road that<br />
starts from Petra and goes to Mithimna, are a proof that this road already<br />
existed in the past. Graves have been also found out of the other sides of the<br />
wall too.<br />
Ruins that belong to a town reveal that the town had been later expanded out<br />
of the fortified zone, towards the south. As it seems from the ruins of the<br />
ancient aqueduct' s conduits, Mithimna was being supplied with water from<br />
the springs situated on the slopes of the mountain Lepetymnos. The system<br />
that had been applied shows that the aqueduct had been constructed during<br />
the Hellenistic era or a little bit earlier. Mithimna has been throughout the<br />
centuries the motherland of great writers, such as the poet Arion, who<br />
perfected the dithyramb and the writers Ilia Venezi and Argyres Eftalioti.
This is one of the most ancient towns on the island. It has been, because of<br />
its beauty, a place of inspiration for many poets, writers and artists. Anyone<br />
who visits this town is amazed every time he sees it appearing in the calm<br />
scenery of the olive groove, at the foot of the rock on the top of which the<br />
medieval castle dominates. The solid traditional buildings, made of stone or of<br />
painted wood, are situated in a labyrinth of narrow streets. On the far side of<br />
the town, there is a picturesque small port that completes this unique image.<br />
The Municipal Unit of Mithimna is also a place of a deep cultural life. This is<br />
obvious from its rich cultural past and from its actual cultural activity. Its<br />
cultural tradition that is expressed in various ways is a part of the Greek<br />
Civilization that has been developed to the east Aegean. The buildings, the<br />
popular art, the painting, the literature, the poetry, the dance and the songs<br />
reflect all over the island this cultural activity. The visitor discoveries in<br />
Mithimna the traditional rhythms that characterize the life when living on an<br />
island. The visitor is welcome to be a part of those rhythms thanks to the<br />
hospitality of the inhabitants. The road that leads from Sykamnia to Mithimna<br />
goes through the villages of Lepetymnos and Argenos. Few kilometres before<br />
we enter the village of Mithimna we go through the village of Vafio with a great<br />
view and traditional taverns. Four kilometres to the northeast of Mithimna<br />
there is the summer resort Eftalou, which has been the place of rest of Ilia<br />
Venezi, with the wonderful beaches and an endless view over Minor Asia. At<br />
Eftalou we will also find the grave of the famous writer Argyri Eftalioti<br />
(meaning the one, who comes from Eftalou).<br />
SYKAMNIA<br />
The village Sykamnia belongs to the Municipal Unit of Mithimna. It is a village<br />
built on the green slopes of the mountain Lepetymnos. Its characteristic street<br />
pattern and the houses made of stone, the mansions with the "sahnisinia", a<br />
traditional architectural element, the inscriptions of the 19th century and the<br />
traditional narrow streets, they all compose an harmonious and very beautiful<br />
image. The house of the famous Greek writer Strati Stamatopoulou, Stratis
Myrivilis being his artistic name, is open to whoever wants to visit it. Three<br />
kilometres to the north, there is the village of Skala Sykamnias, a<br />
characteristic village inhabited by fishermen.<br />
It is the most northern village of the island, facing the seashore of Minor Asia.<br />
The visitor we will have the chance to enjoy there one of the most beautiful<br />
sunsets. He will also find there the Chapel of "the Blessed Virgin Mary, the<br />
Mermaid", which is built on a piece of land that goes into the sea. The chapel<br />
was named after the characteristic fresco made by an unknown popular<br />
painter and representing the Blessed Virgin Mary with the tail of a mermaid. It<br />
is a painting that represents the emotional connection between religion and<br />
tradition.<br />
CUSTOMS<br />
"The burning of Judah"<br />
An old custom takes place on the first Sunday after Easter. It is the "Burning<br />
of Judah". The inhabitants prepare a doll that represents Judah and they hang<br />
it on a wooden column, where it is burnt. This is a symbolic habit and it is<br />
accompanied by traditional songs and dances as well as by the treating of<br />
eggs painted red and of a traditional cake. This might seem a strange habit to<br />
the visitor but it is a celebration that seals the end of the Christian Easter.
"The going around of the bull" habit<br />
During the Religious Festival of St Theoktisti, on the last Sunday of July, the<br />
inhabitants of the village decorate a bull, with which they go around the<br />
village. In the evening they prepare the traditional meal, called "kiskek", which<br />
is offered to the villagers together with wine.<br />
The custom of the "Clean Monday"<br />
This is a custom that seals the end of the Greek Halloween and takes place<br />
before Easter. It also has to do with the feeding habits. During this day, meat<br />
and its products are excluded from the greek table. In Mithimna, the festival<br />
takes place on the beach, with fasting delicacies, satiric brief theatrical plays<br />
performed on the beach, music and dance.<br />
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES<br />
Apart from the tourism of recreation, the visitor, who chooses Mithimna for his<br />
vacations, has the possibility to enjoy the tourism that is based upon the<br />
social relations and the human communication in general. Many tourists have<br />
become frequent visitors of Mithimna and have also created social<br />
relationships with the inhabitants of the village. But above of all, we should<br />
mention that Mithimna has the possibility and the perspective to develop<br />
educational tourism.<br />
Many cultural happenings took place and take place every year, such as the<br />
Eftaliotika (the Festival of Eftalou), the International Banquet of Aegean as<br />
well as the Conference "Mediterranean - Europe". Every year festivals for the<br />
protection of the tradition and the architectural inheritance, exhibitions of<br />
painting and popular art, theatrical and musical lectures as well as folklore<br />
theatrical plays are organized. Mithimna is an endless source of inspiration<br />
and has always been a pole of attraction for foreign and local artists. The<br />
number of the artists is increased by the function of the summer department<br />
of the School of Fine Arts.<br />
The foundation of the Art Gallery, in 1981, is a proof of the important cultural<br />
efforts that have been taking place in Mithimna since then. Of an equal<br />
importance is also the temporary or permanent presence of writers in the<br />
village. Stratis Myrivilis is one of them. He had met here the famous "teacher<br />
with the golden hair", who has been the heroine of one his most famous<br />
books. Another custom that takes place in Mithimna the first week of July is<br />
the "Nautical Week". It tales place at the village' s port. Poems that concern<br />
the sea are recited, fishes and wine are offered and the festival goes on with<br />
traditional dances, songs and fireworks.
SCHOOL <strong>OF</strong> FINE ARTS<br />
The School of Fine Arts is established in a restored building that had been<br />
constructed in 1812 and belonged to M. Komninaki Kralli. Since 1960, date of<br />
the School' s foundation, it belongs to the Ministry of Education and Religion.<br />
It is a traditional building of two stores made of stone and wood (berdes), with<br />
frescos that have been completely revalued in 1995 when the operations of<br />
the restoration, made by Panagioti Gouto, finished. During the decade of<br />
sixties, many Greek students with their professors and many foreigners<br />
(Dutch School) stayed in the village of Mithimna. Their works are exhibited in<br />
the Art Gallery. It is a place that can be visited and where students stay and<br />
work. Hospitality is been given also to foreign painters. Recently, in 1995,<br />
hospitality has been given to 8 famous painters from Russia. When they got<br />
back to Russia they made an exhibition of their works through which they<br />
presented Lesbos and Mithimna.<br />
ART GALLERY – CONFERENCE CENTRE<br />
The Art Gallery of Mithimna is situated in the centre the village. In the yard of<br />
the building there is the bust of the poet and writer Argyri Eftalioti, who was<br />
born in Mithimna. The works of many painters have been gifted to the Art<br />
Gallery and are exhibited in a permanent exhibition. During the period that<br />
starts from 1/6 until 31/9, every year, exhibitions of Fine Arts (sculpture,<br />
painting, pottery, photography, wooden sculpture and carving) are organized.<br />
This exhibition has a commercial character. We should talk about, though, the<br />
cultural happenings that take place and whose purpose is to bring the<br />
younger generations closer to the parts of the civilization that belong to the<br />
past. Such cultural happenings are exhibitions of old utensils, embroideries,<br />
dress and old photos. The entrance to the Gallery is free. From there we have<br />
a panoramic view over the village and the sea. The Art Gallery is open to the<br />
public from the middle of May until the end of October<br />
The Conference Centre of Mithimna is established in an old traditional<br />
restored public building that has been specially restored for this purpose. It is<br />
situated in the centre of Mithimna (market place). We can reach it by car
without any difficulty. The main conference hall has 203 places for the<br />
participants and six places for the organization committee. There is also a<br />
central system of heating and cool-air. There is a screen for video projections<br />
and a projector. There is also a telecommunication with the spare spaces and<br />
the exhibition (in case of an emergency the connection is easy and direct). As<br />
far as the secretarial support is concerned, it can be supplied by the Municipal<br />
Unit according to the conference' s demands.<br />
ARCHITECTURE<br />
Through the architecture and the structure that characterize the village of<br />
Mithimna, we can follow the cultural and social development of the society of<br />
Mithimna. The architectural character and the town planning of Mithimna<br />
reveal to us the continuing of a very interesting history. The geographical<br />
position of Mithimna on the north coast of the island, opposite Troy on the<br />
coast of Minor Asia, was of an equal strategic importance with the<br />
geographical position of Mytilini. The town of Mithimna had the possibility to<br />
control the north traffic towards the Gulf of Adramytti. The town was built on a<br />
peninsula towards the port.<br />
From the sea it was protected by a natural fortification made of hills. The<br />
fortification was much stronger from the land because the wall was the<br />
continuity of those hills, a part of which belongs today to the medieval castle.<br />
The most ancient parts of the wall situated on the land, which were 2900<br />
metres long, date back to the 8th century a. C. As the walls of Mithimna' s<br />
fortifications had not been destroyed by the Athenians in 427 a. C., as it<br />
happened to many other towns, the ruins of the walls are the most ancient on<br />
Lesvos.
The stones are rounded and the joints are not very well fitted. Since the<br />
byzantine era until nowadays, the town of Mithimna remains and is developed<br />
to the same geographical position. A systematic research though, would<br />
reveal many details that concern the medieval form of the town.<br />
The fact that the town had to be constructed in a limited area, for<br />
defense reasons at the beginning, but also because of the morphology<br />
of the soil (steep rocky surface) led to a perfect exploitation of the<br />
whole area.<br />
This way, the town of Mithimna presents a net of narrow streets,<br />
where older buildings, constructed the one after the other, compose a<br />
solid entity of houses.<br />
There is no free space in the historical centre of Mithimna.<br />
The town has maintained its particular character, which has been<br />
formed during the last two centuries of the Turkish rule and particularly<br />
during the 19th century.<br />
The fact that the town had to be constructed in a limited area, for defense<br />
reasons at the beginning, but also because of the morphology of the soil<br />
(steep rocky surface) led to a perfect exploitation of the whole area. This way,<br />
the town of Mithimna presents a net of narrow streets, where older buildings,<br />
constructed the one after the other, compose a solid entity of houses. There is<br />
no free space in the historical centre of Mithimna. The town has maintained its<br />
particular character, which has been formed during the last two centuries of<br />
the Turkish rule and particularly during the 19th century.
RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS<br />
The Religious Festival of St Paraskevi. This religious festival takes place on<br />
the 26th of July, in the village of Vafio.<br />
The Religious Festival of St Ioanni. This religious festival takes place on the<br />
29th of August, in the village of Vafio.<br />
<strong>MUNICIPAL</strong> UNIT <strong>OF</strong> PETRA<br />
The Municipal Unit of Petra is situated to the northwest part of the island. It is<br />
consisted of the villages of Petra, of Lafiona, of Skoutaro, of Stypsi, of<br />
Ypsilometopo and of the summer resorts of Anaxos and Petri.<br />
This Municipal Unit is 55 kilometers from Mytilini. Petra is a seaside village<br />
built in the middle of a green plain, which according to tradition, it was the<br />
Achilles' anchorage during the war of Troy. Before we take down the hill, on<br />
our way to Petra, we have the chance to admire the view over the village<br />
facing the open sea, decorated by the wide beach, the rich vegetation, the<br />
cultivations of the villagers and the chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the<br />
"Glykofilousa", situated on the top of a high rock in the middle of the village.
During the last years, the village of Petra has been developed in a modern<br />
summer resort. In the summer, a lot of tourists visit this place, which is the<br />
"centre of amusement" with a lot of bars, taverns and restaurants. In the<br />
village of Petra, the visitor will find also a branch of the Greek Organism of<br />
Telecommunications, banks, a public clinic, a veterinary, cars and bicycles to<br />
let. Just opposite the beach of Petra there are three isolated islands.<br />
The biggest of them is called the island of St George. Caiques and fish boats<br />
that start from the port of Petra make regular trips to those islands. The visitor<br />
has the possibility to organize excursions and to spend the night in the open<br />
air. In Petra he will have his portrait made. He can either make sports or go<br />
for shopping.<br />
Petra is the country of many personalities of the art and letters. Among them,<br />
we distinguish Neokli Kazazi, Thrasyvoulo Stavrou, K. Frilingo and Oresti<br />
Kanelli. The ancient (Greek) graves that were found at the position<br />
Keramidaria at a distance of 600 metres from the village prove that this place<br />
has been inhabited in the past. We have also found coins of the Roman era,<br />
Byzantine relieves, a two headed eagle surrounded by a wall in the yard of<br />
the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and frescos of the 16th century in the<br />
church of St Nikolaos. During the 17th century, the fact that Petra was a highdeveloped<br />
place in the domain of commerce and culture attracted the
apacious interest of the French pirate Hugus de Crevellier, who in 1675<br />
terrifies the islands of Aegean. In the same year, during March, in one night<br />
he managed together with 800 pirates to conquest the village of Petra. After<br />
the pillage he took with him 500 inhabitants as slaves.<br />
The greatest and brightest religious festival of the village in August 15th every<br />
year is the religious festival dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This festival<br />
is the most important event at least to the northeast part of the island. From<br />
every part of Lesvos We will see believers coming to the Blessed Virgin Mary<br />
to honour her sake. Popular dances and songs at the central square of the<br />
village accompany this celebration.<br />
Despite the pillage of the whole village, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary<br />
as well as all the other churches in the village of Petra escaped the<br />
destruction. This is probably due to the fact that the pirates were Christians.<br />
The village of Petra, like the whole island, did not escape the Turkish<br />
enslavement. On the 4th of December in 1912, three warships of the Greek<br />
fleet, Athenai, Mycali and Esperis into co-ordination with the Greek army of<br />
Mytilini liberated the village of Petra and beaten the Turkish army on the hill of<br />
Clapados (680).<br />
The commander in chief of the three Greek warships that anchored in the port<br />
of Petra was the Admiral Koundoriotis. The Turkish army surrendered<br />
unconditionally, in the morning of the 8th December in 1912. From the village<br />
of Petra, we have the possibility to visit the other villages of the Municipal Unit<br />
of Petra, which are especially picturesque<br />
ANAXOS - SKOUTAROS<br />
If the visitor prefers to enjoy a beach as beautiful as the beach of Petra and<br />
taste traditional delicacies by the sea, he can always visit the summer resort<br />
of Anaxos, 2 kilometres from Petra. If he prefers, though, the places and the<br />
beaches that are intact from the tourist side effects he can drive another three<br />
kilometres from the summer resort of Anaxos to the area of Micri Tsihranda
(Ambelia). A little bit further, he will find the village of Skoutaros (7 kilometres<br />
from Petra) built on a green slope<br />
LAFIONAS<br />
The village of Lafionas is situated to the northwest of Petra in a distance of 5<br />
kilometres. It is a picturesque village with a fantastic view over the village of<br />
Petra and Mythimna, decorated by the traditional cafes and its beautiful<br />
countryside. A "Folklore Museum" is open to the public in the summer. It is<br />
established in the Primary School and its exhibition contains objects that the<br />
villagers lend to the Museum in order to keep the traditions and the past alive.<br />
According to information that passes from generation to generation, the<br />
village must have been built 400 years ago (during the period of piracy and<br />
the venetian dominion) because, as it is said, every time the inhabitants heard<br />
about a raid they quitted the village and took refuge in the woods. In the<br />
village there is also a cross-shaped basilica dedicated to the Assumption of<br />
the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was constructed in 1807 and was restored in 1920.<br />
Its reredos is made of cypress wood, with which the inhabitants had been<br />
supplied from a sailing vessel that was carrying lumber to Smyrna and that<br />
because of the bad weather it anchored in the port of Petra. The inhabitants of<br />
Lafiona bought it then for 300 gold liras. There are only three temples of this<br />
kind on the island of Lesbos. At the rural position "Tekes", which is three<br />
kilometres from the village, we will find the first Monastery on the island<br />
constructed in 325 p. C. It is dedicated to St Alexander, who had been<br />
Mithimna' s First Bishop. St Alexander participated to the A' Ecumenical<br />
Synod of Nikea. The church is a paleochristian basilica and among the<br />
various founds we will find well maintained the engraved monument made of<br />
stone, where the relics of St Alexander was kept.<br />
STIPSI<br />
Another village that belongs to the Municipal Unit of Petra is the village of<br />
Stypsi situated to the west side of the mountain Lepetymnos. The village of<br />
Stypsi is a characteristic example of mountainous village. At the position<br />
"Castreli" we will find ruins of a small medieval castle.<br />
PETRI<br />
The small village of Petri is situated to the east of the Municipal Unit of Petra,<br />
among the walnut trees and the poplars, with a panoramic view over the<br />
village of Petra. In the summer, the village of Petri becomes "an international<br />
place of meetings and gatherings". The only cafe of the village, apart from the<br />
traditional delicacies, it prepares, after order, cock elevated among the fields.<br />
The village of Petri is 2,5 kilometers from Petra. It is worth the pain to walk up<br />
there in the afternoon in order to enjoy the sunset. If you are a tradition lover<br />
you will not miss visiting the watermills at the area of Ligona, 2 kilometres<br />
from the village of Petra. Close to the watermills there still are the<br />
watercourses and the channels that have been carrying the water of the river<br />
to the watermills. Along the river there are plane trees. If you decide to make<br />
this excursion you should take with you water and food.
MANSION <strong>OF</strong> VARELTZIDENA<br />
The "Mansion of Vareltzidena has been characterized a preservable<br />
monument. Its architectural rhythm is Macedonian with a characteristic<br />
painting and a wooden sculptured decoration. It is built in the beginning of the<br />
18th century and it is named after its last inhabitant, an old lady, who died in<br />
1940, when she was 100 years old. In 1963, the Ministry of Civilization bought<br />
it from Vareltzidena' s heirs. The house consists of two stories (a ground floor<br />
and one floor upstairs). In the ground floor there is a big storeroom, where<br />
olive oil and wine was stored. In the upstairs floor there is a big reception<br />
room and around it rooms. In one of these rooms the landlord used to invite<br />
the notables of the village in order to discus the village' s problems. The<br />
throne of the landlord still exists and on it we can see his coat of arms. The<br />
ceiling is decorated with a pigeon, the symbolism of the Peace. On the roof of<br />
the mansion there is a hiding-place, where the owners were hiding from the<br />
pirates. In the ladies living room, on the walls there are paintings that<br />
represent Constantinople<br />
ARCHITECTURE<br />
Most of the houses in Petra are made of stone and their roof is covered with<br />
tiles. In the beginning of the past century, the houses of the rich people had<br />
two stories (ground floor and one floor upstairs), where the ground floor was<br />
built only from stone and had no windows. The first floor from its three sides<br />
was made of wood and had balconies (called "sahnisinia"). The ground floor<br />
consisted of a big yard paved with flat stones from Malta and of a big<br />
storeroom.<br />
CUSTOMS<br />
The greatest and brightest religious festival of the village in August 15th every<br />
year is the religious festival dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This festival<br />
is the most important event at least to the northeast part of the island. From<br />
every part of Lesvos We will see believers coming to the Blessed Virgin Mary<br />
to honour her sake. Popular dances and songs at the central square of the<br />
village accompany this celebration.<br />
WOMEN ASSOCIATION<br />
The Association was founded in 1983. The initiative of its foundation belongs<br />
to the General Office for the Equality of the two sexes. Twenty-four women,<br />
who come from Petra, founded the first Agricultural Association of Women in<br />
Greece. Their main goals were and still are the increase of the family income<br />
on behalf of the woman and her economic independence. These women rent<br />
rooms with a view over the sea or the narrow paved streets of the village,<br />
which is decorated with beautiful gardens. You have the possibility to stay<br />
with your family either to the rooms rented by the association or stay to a<br />
small house on your own. In the morning, a delicious homemade breakfast<br />
expects you. During the summer, the women of the Association own a<br />
restaurant at the central square of the village, where traditional food is served.
RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS<br />
Religious Festivals of Petra.<br />
The Religious Festival of St Kyriaki. It is celebrated on the 7th of July<br />
The Religious Festival of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is celebrated on the 15th<br />
of August.<br />
Religious Festival of Lafiona.<br />
The Religious Festival of St Paraskevi. It is celebrated on the 26th of July.<br />
<strong>MUNICIPAL</strong> UNIT <strong>OF</strong> POLYCHNITOS<br />
The Municipal Unit of Polichnitos consists of the villages of Polichnitos,<br />
Lisvori, Vatera, Vrisa, Nyfida, Vassilika and Stavros.<br />
This Municipal Unit is situated to the south east part of the island (45<br />
kilometres from the capital, the city of Mytilini) among the olive groves, the<br />
pine- trees forests and the sources with clear waters and wonderful beaches.<br />
According to the oral tradition, the village took its name from the words "Polla<br />
ihni" (meaning many small villages). According to the legend, many small<br />
villages situated mostly on the seashore, because of the raids of the Saraken<br />
pirates had to move and to come all together to their present position that is<br />
situated away from the sea.<br />
This area is surrounded by mountains and it is invisible from both the Gulf of<br />
Kalloni and the Aegean Sea.
The Municipal Unit of Polichnitos has an excellent place on the island of<br />
Lesvos as far as the agricultural economy and the tourism are concerned. The<br />
area is being developed continually into a remarkable summer resort. The<br />
most famous beaches in the Municipal Unit of Polichnitos are the beaches<br />
Nifida and Vatera.<br />
VASILIKA<br />
Passing through the forest of Pyrra with the tall pine-trees and through the<br />
area Tsingos with the sources and the clear waters, we will meet the village<br />
Vassilica. It was named like this, either because during the byzantine era it<br />
used to give hospitality to kings or because in the area there were royal<br />
estates.<br />
LISVOSRI<br />
At the Municipal Unit of Polichnitos we can also visit the village Lisvori, a<br />
village full of life. The main occupation of the inhabitants is the cultivation of<br />
their fields. This area is famous for the production of anise, an aromatic herb.<br />
Its seeds are used in the preparation of ouzo. This area produces the most<br />
aromatic olive oil on the island.<br />
VRISA<br />
It is a village with a great intellectual tradition, with houses made of stone,<br />
distinguished for their hewed stone coins and their special architecture.<br />
In the centre of the village there is a very beautiful square with a traditional<br />
cafe and a very old plane tree. If you are lucky you might watch the<br />
celebration of a traditional marriage or a traditional dance accompanied with<br />
folk music or the horse races organized by the Equestrian Association of
Vrisa. You could also enjoy a performance of the children' s orchestra, which<br />
belongs to the cultural association.<br />
VATERA<br />
In the summer resort of Vatera the tourist has the possibility to enjoy every<br />
kind of holiday. Vatera because of its geographical position and the<br />
organisation in whatever concerns the tourism is the most appropriate place<br />
for sea sports, excursions with tourist boats, fishing during the day and the<br />
night, but also for hiking in the mountains that surround the summer resort of<br />
Vatera. As we mentioned before, Vatera is a summer resort, which is in a<br />
continuous and spectacular development. In this area we will find many hotels<br />
(specially organised for families), rooms to be let and a well organised<br />
camping so as to serve the thousands of tourists, who visit the area every<br />
year. You will also find enough taverns, restaurants, cafes, discos and bars<br />
whose owners are more than willing to serve you and to take good care of<br />
you.<br />
STAVROS<br />
The village Stavros is the smallest section of the Municipal Unit of Polichnitos.<br />
The main occupations of the inhabitants are the agriculture and the cattle<br />
raising. The village Stavros is famous for its olives, its cheese (the fresh<br />
cheese and the cheese stored in olive oil), the paste made with coarse flour<br />
and sour milk, its vegetables without fertilizers and last but not least the<br />
mushrooms that we will find under the pine-trees, called in greek "pefkites".<br />
HOT SPRINGS – GEOTHERMY<br />
Of a remarkable importance are also the Natural Hot Springs of Lisvori. These<br />
springs are sulphurous.
Of an equal importance are also the Natural Hot Springs of Polichnitos, where<br />
from the bowels of the earth bubbles up the "kakavi", a special substance.<br />
LOCAL PRODUCTS<br />
Organic Olive Oil<br />
In the area of Ancient Pyrra, which is called today Achladeri, there is a farm,<br />
where organic cultivations of olive-trees take place with a great success and<br />
organic olive oil is produced.<br />
Dairy products - Sardines - Olive oil - Crackers<br />
Whoever visits the Municipal Unit of Polichnitos should not omit to choose<br />
among its local products the hard cheese, the fresh cheese and the famous<br />
paste made with coarse flour and sour milk, the sardines conserved in salt,<br />
the olive oil of a very good quality and the crackers made with wheat, all<br />
produced in the Municipal Unit with the special care of its inhabitants.
AMUSEMENT – SPORTS<br />
On the very beautiful beaches of Skala Polichnitou we can find all the time of<br />
the year restaurants and fish taverns, which prepare well-cooked meals, fresh<br />
and tasty fish caught in the Gulf of Kalloni and where everybody is more than<br />
willing to serve the visitor. If you find yourselves in the Municipal Unit of<br />
Polichnitos, you will have the chance to go for hunting, fishing and swimming,<br />
skiing or sailing. The beaches Polichnitos and Nyphida are very clean. The<br />
last one has been even awarded the blue flag of the European Community.<br />
FESTIVALS<br />
The Trawl Festival<br />
One of the festivals, which are worth watching, is the festival of the fishermen,<br />
the Trawl Festival that takes place during the month of August.<br />
The biggest religious festival of the Municipal Unit, is the Festival of Saint<br />
Constantine that takes place on the 21st of May.<br />
Of an equal importance are also the Religious Festivals of the Blessed Virgin<br />
Mary "The Source of Life", the Religious Festival of Saint Georgios on the<br />
23rd of April, the Religious Festival of Prophet Elias, which takes place on the<br />
20th of July and the Religious Festival of The Saint Trinity.<br />
<strong>MUNICIPAL</strong> UNIT <strong>OF</strong> PLOMARI<br />
The Municipal Unit of Plomari consists of the small town of Plomari and the<br />
villages Akrasi, Ampeliko, Megalohori, Neohori, Paleohori, Plagia and<br />
Trygona. The town of Plomari is an insular town with a view over the blue sea<br />
of Aegean. It is a small town of 3800 inhabitants. It was built in 1845.<br />
The modern town is built around the old historical centre and the Church of<br />
Saint Nikolaos. Consists of the neighborhoods Platano, Agia Paraskevi,<br />
Tarsana, Agora, Proastio, Prophet Elias. To the east 2 kilometers away form<br />
Plomari, we will find the summer resort Saint Isidoros and to the west the<br />
picturesque area Ammoudeli.
Plomari thanks to the kindness and hospitality of its people, became a great<br />
nautical, commercial and industrial centre of the previous century. The<br />
contemporary settlement is built around the historic centre and the church of<br />
Agios Nikolaos and consists of the neighborhoods Platanos, Agia Paraskevi,<br />
Tarsanas, Agora, Proastio, Profitis Ilias.<br />
At the eastern side of Plomari, 2 klm away there is the seaside resort of Agios<br />
Isidoros and at the west side the picturesque Amoudeli. The area of Tarsanas<br />
took the name from the famous shipyards, since a lot of shipmen and<br />
craftsmen were gathered there in order to construct ships and sailboats for<br />
the Aegean markets.<br />
The climate conditions all over the years are of the most ideal of the insular<br />
part. Calm winter, beautiful spring, cool summer, unforgettable Aegean<br />
autumn.<br />
24 hours a day the Medical Centre works. Apart from the medical services, a<br />
synchronous tele-medical system works also.
AKRASI<br />
A settlement about 17 klm away from Plomari. Its architecture reveals a great<br />
interest. A special characteristic is the ideal beach of Drota where you will find<br />
taverns with fresh fish, fruits and vegetables.<br />
AMPELIKO<br />
A mountain settlement built on Olympos mountain. All the round area is full of<br />
pines. It is 21 klm away from Plomari<br />
MEGALOCHORI<br />
What you can meet there are trees and fresh cold waters, while the<br />
architecture constitutes a great picture. Clean fresh air, and two churches,<br />
bring the visitors close to God.<br />
NEOCHORI<br />
16 klm away from Plomari. Is a very nice settlement, with plain vegetation and<br />
natural beauty.<br />
PALEOCHORI<br />
The village Paleochori is 11 kilometers from Plomari decorated with the<br />
Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Evangelistria.<br />
PLAGIA<br />
We will find the village Plagia situated in a plain very close to Plomari. The<br />
port of the village is situated in the area Agia Varvara<br />
TRIGONAS<br />
The village Trygonas is a very beautiful village, very close to Plagia.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES – FESTIVALS – CUSTOMS<br />
Cultural Activities<br />
From the 20th of August until the 30th of the same month there is a very<br />
important cultural happening that takes place in order to honour Veniamin the<br />
Lesbian. This happening is called the "Veniaminia".<br />
Religious Festivals<br />
The Religious Festival of Saint Nikolaos takes place on the 6th December.<br />
The last week of July take place the famous Religious Festivals of Prophet<br />
Elias, Saint Paraskevi and Saint Panteleimona.<br />
The Second Resurrection of Jesus Christ . The easter custom of The Second<br />
Resurrection of Jesus Christ is a particular characteristic custom.<br />
LOCAL PRODUCTS<br />
Plomari is the mother land of ouzo. Ouzo of Plomari is one of the most<br />
favorite Greek spirits. Has its own personality, its own taste, its own legacy<br />
and keeps its own secrets, secreta that are so familiar to the local distilleries<br />
that produce it..<br />
Varvagiannis museum Varvagiannis museum<br />
All these secrets have concentrated, and have made it a product of great<br />
importance and high quality. You may taste all the varieties of local distillery.
In the mountainous villages situated in calm places of an excellent natural<br />
beauty, the visitor will have the chance to make excursions and learn about<br />
the agricultural life and the cultivation of the olive.<br />
AMUSEMENT - SPORTS<br />
You should taste of course the already known traditional meals, which are<br />
cooked in a special way. And of course you will not forget to taste the famous,<br />
for its special taste, ouzo of Plomari.