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LESVOS
Lesvos
 Lesvos, Greece's third largest island,
has a long history and varied, fascinating scenery. The birthplace of the illustrious
ancient poets Sappho and Alkaios, the guitarist Arion, the musician Terpander and Pittakos
of Mitilini, one of the Seven Sages of antiquity, it even today continues the tradition of
producing famous artists, poets and writers.
The island's capital is Mitilini, built
like an amphitheatre above its ancient namesake and with its Byzantine castle towering
over it from the top of a pine-covered hill. On the northeast edge of town there is a
Hellenistic theatre with superb acoustics which once accommodated an audience of 10,000,
while to the east of it you can see a section of ancient polygonal wall. The
Archaeological Museum contains a wealth of finds and the Byzantine Museum has exhibits
from both the Byzantine and post-Byzantine periods. The town also boasts some interesting
churches: the Cathedral dedicated to St. Athanassios, Agios Therapontas and Agii
Theodori,
which has wonderful wood carvings and icons.
Varia, a suburb of
Mitilini, is the site
of the Theofilos Museum with works by Greece's best-loved naif painter Theofilos and the
Teriade Museum - Library housing the "Great Books" and art magazines published
and donated by Lesvos' famous art critic, Stratis Eleftheriades (Teriade). Its walls are
hung with lithographs from the Great Books done by Picasso, Matisse, Chagall, Leger and
other famous 20th century artistis.
Six km. away at Moria there is a section
of Roman aqueduct erected in the 2nd century A.D. In the northeast part of the island,
after passing a series of charming coastal villages, the first major place you should
visit is Mantamados, known for its characteristic stone houses, fine pottery, wood
carvings, and delicious local cheeses. Don't miss a stop at the Monastery of the
Taxiarch,
which possesses the only relief portrait of the Archangel in the Orthodox world.
 Further north, you come to Sikamia,
the birthplace of the famous novelist, Stratis Myrivilis, and its port Skala
Sikamias, a
picturesque fishing harbour with a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Gorgona (Mermaid)
described in Myrivilis' novel of the same name.
The next stop is Molivos or Mithimna, the
island's best known resort and artists' colony, whose mediaeval castle and traditional
architecture give it a distinctive atmosphere. Among its sights are its archaeological
museum, library and a small picture gallery.
Another of Lesvos' well known places is Agiassos,
near the middle of the island. This attractive village has kept its old flavour and the
fame of its pottery and wood carving has traveled well beyond Greece. It also has an
Ecclesiastical and Folk Art Museum and a Reading Society with a theatre and a goodsized
library. Don't miss the Church of the Virgin (Panagia) with its collection of old icons,
which includes an icon of the Mother and Child (Vrefocratoussa) attributed to St. Luke.
Further west, Agia Paraskevi, a market
town with old mansions, is known for its curious Festival of the Bull, celebrated since
1774. Near here, at Klopedi, are the remains of the ancient Aeolian temple of Napaios
Apollo, while Messa, also nearby, boasts the ruins of a big Ionian temple (late 4th-early
3rd century B.C.), possibly dedicated to three deities, Zeus, Hera and Dionysos.
A monument from a later date, the Early Christian
basilica of St. George, restored by the noted mediaevalist, professor A.
Orlandos, may be
seen at Halinados, not far away.
Just a short distance from Agia
Paraskevi, in the
island's centre, is Kaloni, a modern town and transportation hub, famed for the anchovies
and shellfish caught in its bay. Its port, Skala Kalonis, is a thriving summer resort with
a long sandy beach. Things to see in the vicinity of Kaloni include the Limnos Monastery
(1527), whose church dedicated to St. John contains interesting 16th century frescoes, a
library with 2,500 volumes (450 of which are manuscripts) and an ecclesiastical-folk art
museum.
Sigri, at the western tip of
Lesvos, is a
pretty fishing port with a lovely beach and an 18th century fortress. Not far from here is
the island's celebrated Petrified Forest, dating back some fifteen million years. The
fossilized trunks, some fallen, some still erect, some in the sea, are unusual for the
brilliance and diversity of their colours.
Also near Sigri are Eressos, the
birthplace of Sapphoand Theophrastos, and its port Skala Eressou, which has a magnificent
beach and full facilities for tourists. Worth seeing here are the archaeological
collection and the ruined 5th century basilica of Agios Andreas with its stunning mosaics.
On the south coast, other resorts have grown up
alongside superb beaches. These are Vatera and Plomari, Lesvos' second largest
town, famed for its exceptional ouzo and interesting architecture.
Lesvos abounds in mineral springs, where health
spas have been developed, as at the Gulf of Gera, Thermi, Lisvori, Eftalou,
Polichnitos,
etc.
How to Get to Lesvos
By Ferry-boat:
- From Piraeus (daily)
- From Thessaloniki and Kavala
- From Chios, Samos,
Patmos, Leros, Kalimnos, Kos
and Rhodes
Useful telephone numbers for Lesvos
- Area Code: 0251
- Regional Directorat for the North Aegean: 28935
- Directorate for Tourism of the North Aegean:
42511/2/3
- GNTO Information Office: 61279
- Harbour Master: 28827
- Police: 22776
- First Aid: 43777
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