Lesbos Attractions
Chief town: Mytilíni
Lésbos (popularly called Mytilíni; Turkish Midilli, Italian Metellino), the third largest of the Greek islands (after Crete and Euboea), lies in an angle formed by the Anatolian coast, which is only 10km/6mi away on the north side of the island and 15km/9mi away on the east side. An island of great scenic beauty, Lésbos is also one of the most fertile parts of Greece. It is broken up by the gulfs of Kalloní and Iéra, which cut deep inland on the southwest and southeast sides of the island. The island's proximity to the mainland of Asia Minor was a major factor in the vicissitudes of its history.
At Thermí, 12km/7.5mi north of Mytilíni, excavation has brought to light a pre-Greek settlement established about 2700 B.C. which belonged to a cultural group embracing also the Troad and the offshore islands as far away as Lemnos. Around 1000 B.C. Aeolian Greeks from Thessaly arrived on the island and founded the cities of Mytilene and Methymna, ruled by aristocratic families who were constantly at odds with one another. About 600 B.C. the tyrant (sole ruler) Pittakos put an end to faction and arbitrary government, retired voluntarily after 10 years and thereafter was accounted one of the Seven Sages. From 546 to 479 B.C. Lésbos was under Persian rule, and after its liberation became a member of the Attic maritime league. Throughout this period, however, and in Hellenistic and Roman times, it was able, like Chios, to maintain its independence.
Lésbos was the home of the poet Terpandros (seventh century B.C.), who was credited with the invention of the seven-stringed lyre; and about 600 B.C. the singer Arion was born in Methymna, the poet Alkaios was born in Mytilene and Sappho, the greatest Greek poetess, was born in Eressos. Sappho instructed young girls in the arts. Another native of Lésbos was the philosopher Theophrastos (322-287 B.C.), who became head of Aristotle's Lykeion (Lyceum) in Athens.
In 1355, a Genoese nobleman named Francesco Gattelusi married a daughter of the Byzantine Emperor, who received Lesbos as her dowry. Thereafter, the Gattelusi family ruled the island as a Byzantine fief until 1462, when Lésbos was captured by the Turks. During the period of Turkish rule, which lasted until 1913, many of the inhabitants moved to the mainland, particularly to the nearby town of Kydonia (now Ayvalak in Turkey). After the catastrophe of 1922-23, their descendants returned to the island, the economy of which was badly hit by the loss of its Anatolian hinterland.
There's an airport eight km/five mi southeast of Mytilíni. Regular flights from Athens five times daily; from Salonica, daily; from Lemnos, several times weekly.
Regular boat service from and to Athens and from and to Kavála, several times weekly (cars carried); from and to Salonica, Rhodes and Kymi, weekly in each case. Ferry connection with Dikili (Turkey).
Lesbos was affected by the forest fires that swept across areas of Greece in the summer of 2007.
Lésbos (popularly called Mytilíni; Turkish Midilli, Italian Metellino), the third largest of the Greek islands (after Crete and Euboea), lies in an angle formed by the Anatolian coast, which is only 10km/6mi away on the north side of the island and 15km/9mi away on the east side. An island of great scenic beauty, Lésbos is also one of the most fertile parts of Greece. It is broken up by the gulfs of Kalloní and Iéra, which cut deep inland on the southwest and southeast sides of the island. The island's proximity to the mainland of Asia Minor was a major factor in the vicissitudes of its history.
At Thermí, 12km/7.5mi north of Mytilíni, excavation has brought to light a pre-Greek settlement established about 2700 B.C. which belonged to a cultural group embracing also the Troad and the offshore islands as far away as Lemnos. Around 1000 B.C. Aeolian Greeks from Thessaly arrived on the island and founded the cities of Mytilene and Methymna, ruled by aristocratic families who were constantly at odds with one another. About 600 B.C. the tyrant (sole ruler) Pittakos put an end to faction and arbitrary government, retired voluntarily after 10 years and thereafter was accounted one of the Seven Sages. From 546 to 479 B.C. Lésbos was under Persian rule, and after its liberation became a member of the Attic maritime league. Throughout this period, however, and in Hellenistic and Roman times, it was able, like Chios, to maintain its independence.
Lésbos was the home of the poet Terpandros (seventh century B.C.), who was credited with the invention of the seven-stringed lyre; and about 600 B.C. the singer Arion was born in Methymna, the poet Alkaios was born in Mytilene and Sappho, the greatest Greek poetess, was born in Eressos. Sappho instructed young girls in the arts. Another native of Lésbos was the philosopher Theophrastos (322-287 B.C.), who became head of Aristotle's Lykeion (Lyceum) in Athens.
In 1355, a Genoese nobleman named Francesco Gattelusi married a daughter of the Byzantine Emperor, who received Lesbos as her dowry. Thereafter, the Gattelusi family ruled the island as a Byzantine fief until 1462, when Lésbos was captured by the Turks. During the period of Turkish rule, which lasted until 1913, many of the inhabitants moved to the mainland, particularly to the nearby town of Kydonia (now Ayvalak in Turkey). After the catastrophe of 1922-23, their descendants returned to the island, the economy of which was badly hit by the loss of its Anatolian hinterland.
There's an airport eight km/five mi southeast of Mytilíni. Regular flights from Athens five times daily; from Salonica, daily; from Lemnos, several times weekly.
Regular boat service from and to Athens and from and to Kavála, several times weekly (cars carried); from and to Salonica, Rhodes and Kymi, weekly in each case. Ferry connection with Dikili (Turkey).
Lesbos was affected by the forest fires that swept across areas of Greece in the summer of 2007.
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Bay of Gera, Greece
The Bay of Gera, near the town of Gera, is a scenic coastal area on Lesvos. Of interest at the bay is an old monastery.
Lesbos - Ayia Paraskevi Bull Fair (Feast)
The annual Bull Fair, with sacrifice of calf, equestrian events and folk songs and dances is held at Áyia Paraskeví on Lésbos annually in late May or early June.
Lesbos - Limonos Monastery
Near Kalloní, on Lesbos, is Límonos monastery, with a church containing a richly carved iconostasis and completely preserved wall paintings. Only men may enter the church; women are admitted only to the outer monastic buildings. The monastery's large library, its archives and a museum are housed in new buildings.
Lesbos - Perivolis Monastery
Beyond Vatoúsa (61km/38mi), to the right of the road, is Perivólis monastery (17th century frescoes). Beyond the new village of Ántissa (69km/43mi), on Mt Ordímnos, is Ypsiloú monastery (museum containing 12th century manuscripts and vestments of former patriarchs; magnificent views).
Lésbos - Lámpou Mílli (Mória)
At Lámpou Mílli (also called Mória) in southern Lesbos are remains of a Roman aqueduct.
Lésbos - Paralía Thermís
12km/7.5mi northwest of Mytilíni is the little spa of Paralía Thermís, near which is the prehistoric settlement of Thermí, dating back to 2700 B.C.
Petra, Greece
Petrá lies at the foot of a high crag topped by the interesting church of the Panayía (approached by a stepped path). Nearby is Kalloní, 4km/2.5mi north of the Gulf of Kalloní, which reaches 21km/13mi inland.
While in Petra, it is worthwhile to visit a private collection of Theophilos' works, as well as the Monastery of Panayía Glykofílousa, built on a rock with 114 steps.
While in Petra, it is worthwhile to visit a private collection of Theophilos' works, as well as the Monastery of Panayía Glykofílousa, built on a rock with 114 steps.
Plomarion, Greece
For an excursion to the south coast of Lésbos, leave Mytilíni on the road which runs along the north end of the Gulf of Iéra and down its west side to the beach of Áyios Isídoros and the little town of Plomárion (42 km/26 mi).
Polykhnitos, Greece
From Ayiássos it is worth driving to Polykhnitos (24km/15mi), its port of Skála Polykhnítou and the Damándri monastery (frescoes of 1580). Beyond Polykhnitos, to the south, is Vaterá, with a good beach.
Sigri - Petrified Trees, Greece
Sígri, is a little seaside resort on the west coast with a beautiful sandy beach in a sheltered bay. In the village itself (in the main square) and to the southeast (shortly before Ypsiloú monastery, on the right; one and a half hours walk) are petrified trees, buried under volcanic ash at least 700,000 years ago.
Skalakhorio - Antissa, Greece
Going west from Mytilíni, we come to Skalakhorió (54 km/34 mi), just beyond which a poor road goes off to the remains of ancient Antissa (about 8 km/5 mi).
