Churches on Lesvos (24-lesvos) Cathedral of Ayios Athanasios : It is in the center of Mytilene, near the area of the southern port. It was built during the end of the 16th century and it is a three-aisle cruciform basilica. It is dedicated to Ayios Athanassios and in the church the relic of the new martyr Ayios Theodoros of Byzantium -patron saint of the town - is kept ( he martyred in the year 1795 by the Turks ). The fretwork iconostasis has been characterized as one of the most impressive works of post-Byzantine art ( constructed in 1738 ), while the holy icon of Jesus Christ is a wonderful Asia Minor relic painted during the 16th century. Also the belfry is one of Gothic architectural style and it is 33m. high. Church of Ayios Therapon : It is an imposing building at the ports area and the biggest church of Mytilene. It was built in 1860 and it is a cruciform Byzantine basilica. Here the relic of the Metropolitan Bishop Ignatius of Hungary-Wallachia is kept who performed intense national action during the years of the Turkish occupation. Among the impressive holy icons of the church we must notice two Byzantine: of Jesus Christ ( 14th century ) and of Ioanni the Theologian ( 15th century ). Church of Ayioi Theodori ( Saints Theodore ): It is the oldest church of Mytilene, built at the edge of the ancient town. It has been built during the Byzantine period and has been reconstructed in the year 1759 with a three-aisle basilica architectural style after it had been destroyed by fire. In the internal we can see the oldest holy icon of Ayios Theodoros the Byzantium - patrol saint of Mytilene - which represents the nine scenes of his martyrdom. Church of Ayii Apostoli ( Saints Apostles ) : It is near the Cathedral and has been built in 1815. It has a worth noticing iconostasis and wonderful wall paintings. At the garden there is a neoclassic building that belongs to the Metropolis of Mytilene and that is used as a religious-intellectual center. Church of Ayios Nikolaos ( Saint Nicolas ) : It is at the area of the old port ( the northern one ), Epano Skala. The building of the Church was an Ottoman Mosque, which was converted into church in the year 1929, to cover the religious needs of the Asia Minor refugees of the area. Church of Metamorphosis Soteros ( Transfiguration ) : It is at the eastern exit of the town, at the site Therma Kourtzi:. It is believed that there it probably existed an ancient temple dedicated to Apollo or Hera. Church of Ayia Barbara : It is at the village of Pamphylla. It is an imposing church built at the beginning of the 20th century. Worth noticing is the iconostasis made of white marble and curved by the famous Greek sculptor G.Chalepas. Interesting is a small marble cistern at the internal of the church and the impressive wall paintings and holy icons. Other churches of Mytilene are -in the center - of Ayios Georgios and Ayios Symeon, of Ayias Triados - it is being built at the hill of Ayia Kyriaki according to the architectural style of Mount Athos, of Zoodochus Piyis at the western exit of the town, of Ayios Ioannis at the site Pyrgelia, of Ayioi Pateres at the site Chalika, of Theotokos at the site Chryssolaloussa and many other churches are spread dedicated to the honor of many Saints, indicative for the deep religious belief that characterizes the Lesbians. Church of Archangel Gabriel : It is 6km at the southern of Mytilene, at the suburb of kayiani or Taxiarches. It was built in 1903 and it is the third building that has taken the place of the previous two. It is of Byzantine architectural style, cruciform with a Gothic dome. The whole roof of the church has been covered with artistic crosswise vaults decorated with plasterworks. Slabs of white marble cover the floor and in the middle there is a curved two-headed eagle ( symbol of the Byzantine Empire ). The iconostasis and the Metropolite throne - kept from the previous church - are fretwork pieced of art and they belong to the beginning of the 18th century. The church is full of impressive holy icons and wall paintings. On yearly basis numerous pilgrims visit the church. The view from the garden that surrounds it, is fantastic as it faces the port of Mytilene and the Aegean Sea. Church of Santa Marina : It is at the homonymous village after Taxiarches settlement. It is a three-isle basilica built in 1797. It has an artistic temple wood-curved and an archbishops throne created in 1839. The church has walled in architectural parts form a Byzantine church that we find at Mt Amali ( Virgin Mary of Amali ), which offers a fantastic view to a pine tree forest. The church and its yard have been characterized as an archaeological area. Monastery of Ayios Raphael ( Saint Raphael ) in Thermi : It is situated at the Northeastern and at a distance of 12Km away from Mytilene and 3Km of Thermi on a olive grove covered hill called Karyes. The todays Monastery has been built on the ruins of a post-Christian basilica, which we can see in the surrounding place : wall paintings, a red paved floor, the arch of ayiasma ( holy water ) and the holy icon of Jesus Christ ( painted in the 14th century ), leaves of a membrane belonging to a hand-written Gospel and other interesting ecclesiastical objects. There are three periods in the Monasterys history : (a) from the 10th century till the year 1235 - year of its destruction because of a pirates raid - last abbess Ayia Olympia, (b) from the year 1433 till 1463 - year of its second destruction by the Ottomans - last abbot Ayios Raphael and (c) from the year 1962 till today. It is a womans Monastery which has been dedicated to Saint Raphael - his holy skeleton has been found with Ayios Nikolaos and Ayias Irene too, year of their martyrdom 1463. In 1962 the Monastery was founded on the basis of a Greek States Regulation. Firstly the Cathedral was built and afterwards the cells and a church dedicated to Ayia Magdalini. All the works and the relative decoration have been paid by offers and donations of pilgrims and under the control of a Committee that had been established by Mytilene Metropolis. In 1969 we have the inauguration of the Monastery. The Monastery is directed by the charismatic abbess Evyenia Klidara, a unique personality with significant contribution in the theological studies. The belief in the three Saints has contributed in the establishment of the Monastery as a pan-Christian pilgrimage. Also worth noticing is the natural environment: rich vegetation consisted of olive trees and fantastic view to the Aegean Sea and the Asia Minor coasts. Today the Monastery with the secondary buildings and gardens consists a tiny settlement of the area, contributing into the welfare of the areas villages with the endless numbers of its pilgrims especially during spring and summer. Panayia Troulloti ( Virgin Mary with the dome ) : The church is built at the area of Thermi on a picturesque hill. It is a Byzantine basilica and is one of the oldest Orthodox Christianic monument after the Monastery of Perivolis, that remains nearly untouched from the Byzantine period in Lesvos. According to the tradition, it was built in the 8th century. The church - obviously havimg lost the initial architectural structure because of relative interventions- is dedicated to the Assumption of Virgin Mary. It is called Troulloti because the domes vault is decorated with the icon of Virgin Mary and not with the usual icon of Jesus Christ. Monastery of Taxiarchis Michael in Mandamados : It is situated on the suburbs of the small town Mandamados, at the site Lesvados. It is a Byzantine Monastery abandoned -probably - with the islands occupation by the Ottomans in 14762. It has kept the tradition of the Monastery since then, while the cells and the garden keep the Monasterys structure too. The Cathedral has been rebuilt since the year 1879. During the middle of the 19th century there were few monks - as we are informed by the relative ecclesiastical codes. Among the old holy icons one - curved - is distinguished: it is placed inside a glass box, in front of the iconostasis at the Southern isle, and it represent the Archangel Michael. According to the tradition it was made of clay and the blood of the slaughtered monks during the Monasterys destruction by the Turks. This holy icon creates fear and respect as it represents the Archangel with a strict expression, big eyed and its black color because of time, with a big face, the scaring sword and the gold-plated wings. On the upper side of the icon there is an arch full of tiny holy paintings that represent various religious performances. The particular icon, which is the main pole that attracts the pilgrims, is of pure Byzantine art as it has been sculptured on the basis of relative standards. Also the Monastery holds like a national and religious treasure, the ……… of. The church celebrates on Sunday of Myrophores with a great religious and commercial festivity, accompanied by a bulls sacrifice and the preparation of the traditional dish kiskek ( meat cooked with grain ) that is served traditionally to the pilgrims. Also worth noticing is the icon of the Archangel (with gigantic dimension) at the main entrance of the Monastery and the garden that surrounds it, full of green, artistic paved paths, fountains etc. The church of Ayios Stephanos at Mantamados: It is at the eastern part of the island, near the small town of Mantamados. It is a cruciform basilica, built in the post Byzantine period. It is very small and was constructed from pink trachyte rock. Initially it had a dome, which collapsed in the 19th century. The roof has been reconstructed with wooden beams and tiles by the villagers. At the eastern part of the church there are three small arches. Another relatively recent construction is the porch. Incorporated in the walls of the church are parts of an older church and a Roman inscription Church of Ayia Sion of Ayiassos ( Virgin Mary in Ayiassos ) : The name Ayia Sion dominated as the formal name of the Lesbian small town of Ayiassos. This name has been derived from the old holy icon of Virgin Mary, painted and made of mastic and wax - according to the religious tradition - by Saint Luke the Evangelist. During the period of the Iconoclasm the monk Agathon transferred the holy icon from Jerusalem to the island in the year 803 - it is known that Jerusalem is called Ayia Zion. Agathon founded the monastery that soon became the epicenter of pilgrimage and the primitive cell for the towns formation. In 1170 the Catholic was built while during the 16th and the 17th century it enjoyed great religious glory. During the 18th century the rural settlement changes as it expands and the wider area is called Ayiassos. The present church was built in 1814 as the Monastery stopped functioning at the beginning of the 19th century. Except from the holy icon in the church, there are many others equally significant and indicative samples of the Byzantine and post-Byzantine period. Also the church houses an Ecclesiastical Museum with a significant collection of manuscripts, sacristy and other valuable ecclesiastical items. The pilgrimage- during the first fortnight of August -reaches its peak especially on the 15th ( Day of Virgin Maeys Assumption ). Monastery of Damandriou : It is situated at the Eastern of the small town Polichnitos. It is dedicated to the assumption of Virgin Mary and it is said that it has been constructed since the middle of the 14th century. It is a Byzantine Monastery and as relics prove it, in its internal was built the small churches of Ayios Georgios and Myrophores. The medieval Monastery was abandoned during the first years of the Turkish occupation and was probably reconstructed in the 17th century. From the middle of the 19th century it faced the danger of abandonment because of the monks lack and for that reason in 1958 an old peoples home was organized there, that has been demolished the last years. In the Cathedral there are wonderful wall paintings of Byzantine art and significant ecclesiastical items. Saint Georges Church: It is one of the most artistic and richer churches of Greece. It is a three-isle basilica constructed with impressive architecture and aesthetic. The wood-curved temple, the belfry, the numerous pillars and the valuable holy icons : the representations of the Doomsday, the Day of Judgement, both of them exhibited at the Byzantine Museum of Mytilene, impressing the visitor Church of Panayia Glyckofiloussa ( Virgin Mary ) : It is in the village of Petra built on a rock, with114 steps curved on it and which have to be stepped by the pilgrim. The first church possibly hase been built in the year 1609 as the Catholic of a womens Monastery. The architectural style of the church belongs to the Genuate period and this is proved by the existence of a blazon of Gateluses that was curved on a slab of the gardens cobble paved floor. Inside the church there are wonderful and rare Byzantine icons and an artistic Metropolitan throne. The extremely fortificated site of the church give to the observer the impression that it was probably built during the pirates incursions of the post-Byzantine period. The church has been reconstructed in 1840. A plethora of pilgrims visit the church especially during the first fortnight of August ( the Assumption of Virgin Mary ). We have to notice here that the view from the yard is fantastic as it combines the picturesque village of Petra, with the Aegean Sea and the isles of the area. Saint Nicholas church: We find that church at the village of Petra, beside a huge plane tree. It is a one-isle basilica of the 17th century, decorated with numerous frescoes. The floor of the church is slab-paved, its temple is wooden and gold coated as the bishops throne (500 years old ), while there are marble candelabrums too. One of the most impressive fresco is the one that represents the hanging of Judas. Church of Panayia Gorgona ( Virgin Mary the Mermaid ) : It is at the northwestern of Mytilene ( 48Km ) inside the picturesque port of Skala Sykameneas, built on a small rock beside the sea. It is called Panayia the Mermaid as the homonymous icon represent Virgin Mary with a mermaids tail - painted by an unknown folk artist - patron Saint of the fishermen and an icon that inspired the famous Lesbian novelist - Stratis Myrivilis - to write the homonymous novel. Monastery of Perivolis : It is situated at the Northwestern of the island and at a distance of 3Km from the small town Antissa, at the sides of river Voulgari. It is an inactive Monastery for women dedicated to Virgin Mary. It is Byzantine and has been rebuilt since the year 1630, with the construction and the renovation of the Cathedral, according to the standards of the small dimensions Byzantine basilicas. The name perivoli is due to the defense habit of the inhabitants against the pirates raids. Worth noticing are the icons of the fretwork iconostasis and the wall paintings ( 16th century ). Also there is a guesthouse and the garden is full of green as the Monastery is built beside the river Voulgari. Monastery of Pythariou : It is situated inside a deep ……. At the Northeastern of the small town Eressos ( 3Km ). Its name is due to the natural shape of the landscape. It is dedicated to Taxiarches and its foundation is found during the medieval years. It has been rebuilt during the years of the Turkish occupation. It is a Byzantine Monastery with a plethora of interesting holy icons, ecclesiastical objects and wall paintings. In 1938 a reformatory for Priests was organized and closed in the year 1940. It is a Monastery for men and nowadays is being renovated. Monastery of Ipsilou : It is situated on the top of the rocky mountain Ordymnos at the boundaries of the regions Mytilene - Mythimna, between Antissa and Sigri and dedicated to Ayios Ioannis Theologos. The choice of its geographical place is the evidence of its Medieval origin ( in 800AD ), while a reconstruction took place during the years of the Turkish occupation ( 16th century ). The Cathedral is distinguished by the wonderful wall paintings and especially of its iconostasis and these who belong to the church of Ayious Pateres too. At the Monastery file we find precious manuscripts and ecclesiastical objects. After the islands liberation in 1912 it performed significant social and charity activity. Monastery of Lemonas - Ayios Ignatios : It is situated in the center of the island and at a distance of 3Km Northwestern of the small town Kalloni inside a basin. Its Cathedral is dedicated to the Taxiarches. The Archbishop of Mythimna Iynatio Ayaliano, whose name is given today to the Monastery, built it in 1523. During the years of the Turkish Occupation it was the unique intellectual center of the island (during the 16th century here was organized a school for the education of the Lesvians). The Cathedral is an imposing three-aisle basilica, with a fretwork and gold-plated iconostasis, while in the internal we have Byzantine wall paintings of the year 1800. The Monastery holds a Library with 5,000 rare books - from the year of 1502 till today - manuscripts belonging to the period 9th to 19th century, Archbishops and Sultans documents. The oldest document is a gospel of the 9th century written with golden ink. Also there are : a Museum of Ecclesiastical and Folk Art with a plethora of impressive exhibits as ecclesiastical utensils and various objects, holy icons, fretwork objects etc and the unique in Lesvos Museum of Geology ( 1990 ) where we can see the basic Lesvian rocks and the minerals - metals of the island. The Monastery has been a significant center of religious, national, intellectual, social and charity activity especially during the years of the Turkish occupation but even today it continues the charity through an old peoples home and a zoo that are organized. Also we have to notice that inside its territory there are spread many small churches of Byzantine architectural structure. α Monastery of Panayia Myrsiniotissa: It is situated at a distance of 4Km away from the area of Kalloni. It depends on the Monastery of Lemonas. It is Byzantine, and has been organized by Ayios Iynatios in 1523 dedicated to the Assumption of Virgin Mary. Inside the Cathedral the visitor can admire valuable portable holy icons of the Byzantine art, an old fretwork iconostasis and significant wall paintings. Here was organized a school for girls during the 16th century, significant contribution into the education of the Lesvians during the difficult years of the Turkish occupation. Lesvos Monasteries and Churches (lesvos/monasteries.htm) Glykfylousa Panagia (Our Lady of the Sweet Kiss) sits on top of a giant rock in the center of the town of Petra. You reach the top of the rock by climbing the 114 steps carved into the stone. From the church the view of Petra and the surrounding sea and countryside is spectacular extending all the way to the coast of Asia Minor. A beautiful legend concerning the building of the church on this high rock has come down to us: In days of old a storm bought a religious captain to the shores of the area. One morning the captain noticed that the Icon of the Blessed Virgin, which he always had with him, was missing. He looked for it everywhere but to no avail. That evening he saw a strange light shining seemingly suspended between sky and earth. He climbed up the rock and found his icon placed before a lighted lamp. He took it back to his boat but again it disappeared and again he found it on top of the rock. He decided to build a small church there since that was obviously the wish of the Blessed Virgin. The first church was built in 1609 and the present one in 1747. There is a great celebration there on August 15th. Below the rock is the tiny Church of Agios Nikolaos. Inside, the small church is decorated with 16th century wall paintings that are colorful and inspirational and worth a trip to the village. Many of the old Monasteries of Lesvos are still in use. Some have become destinations for pilgrimages while others carry on the spiritual tradions of long ago. Leimonos Monastery , (pictured on left) built in 1523 is a large cluster of buildings between Kaloni and Filia. It is an important spiritual center on the island with a museum, a library and social services. Overnight stays are possible. They have a festival here celebrating Ag. Ignatious on the second weekend of October. A modern day phenomenon is the developing Monastery of Agiou Raphael in Thermi. People come from all over Greece to the shrine of the Newly Sanctified Martyrs of Raphael, the Father Superior of the destroyed monastery, of Nikolas, the deacon, and the young Irene, all three of whom died as martyrs at the hands of the Turks in 1463. A miracle was responsible for the discovery of the bodies of the saints, by Angelos Rallis, who donated the land for the monastery. This monastery is constantly visited year-round by pilgrims searching for a miracle. The complex has rooms for overnight stays. There is a celebration here on the Tuesday after Easter. In Agiassos the Virgin Mary is venerated and everything revolves around the miracle working icon of the Blessed Virgin Vrefokratousa and the Church of the Panagia. During a two week period leading up to the 15th of August, which is the Holy Day of the Virgin Mary, pilgrims begin flocking to the town not only from Lesvos but all over Greece, slowly building up to a carnival-like atmosphere, peaking on the eve of the feast day. There is another festival on September 14th commemorating the day when the Holy cross which Mytilinians brought back from Jerusalem after it was consecrated on Golgotha. Agathons Cross was made with wood from the True Cross and is kept in the museum of the church. The church is surrounded by shops selling icons and religious items as well as some of the best cafeneons on the island. In Mandamados at theChurch of Taxiarches , the miracle working saint of the island is woshipped. The carved icon was made by a monk using mud and the blood of his fallen comrades after being miraculously saved by Saracen pirates. The church celebrates on the third Sunday after easter with a festival that includes the slaughtering of a concecrated bull whose meat is shared among the worshippers. Another religious celebration is held here on the third Sunday after Easter. Ypsilou Monastery (pictured on left) is built on the crater of a dormant volcano. This monastery was built in 1101. It houses some remarkable gold embroided stoles and bible covers from 1588. It is located on the road to Sigri right past the turnoff to Eressos. From its heights you can see the coast of Asia Minor and all of the western portion of the island. There are signs all over that tell you that photographs are not allowed so this picture is about the best I could do. If you are visiting thepetrified forest be sure to stop here too. The Perivoli Monastery (pictured at right) sits in a beautiful green valley between Vatoussa and Antissa. It is serene and the caretaker is happy to show you around. Perivoli means garden. The monastery has some very important wall paintings from the sixteenth century though the church itself was built in the 1300s. There are picnic tables in the grove of trees outside the outer walls of the monastery. The caretaker is a very charming guy who speaks some English and talks Greek in rhymes. Because of its location the monastery seems almost forgotten but it is well worth the visit even if just to talk to the caretaker. This is my favorite monastery on the island and one of my favorites in Greece. The road between Vatoussa and Antissa has an unfortunate odor due to the cheese factory that dumps its waste into the stream and for this reason many people try to get past the area as quickly as possible, espeically those who cant roll up the windows because they are on motorbikes or in an open jeep. Some see the sign for the monastery but dont stop fearing the road into the valley will just bring them closer to the cheese smell. But the monastery has so far escaped and even the smelly cheese factory would have a problem overcoming the scent of the flowers, plants and trees in full bloom. The monastery of Pithari , founded in the seventeenth century is also close to Eressos. Surrounded by a grove of oak and sycamore trees in a dramatic gorge, its an enjoyable walk there but you can also get there by car. The monastery is dedicated to the Taxiarchis (archangels) whose panagiri day is November 8th. There is a disciplinary center for the clergy there. Recently they have added a lake. Yes: a lake. An enormous lake that supplies the agricultural valley of Eressos with water. You gotta see it to believe it. You will think you are in the Swiss Alps. The tiny Church of Saint Andrew in Skala Eressos sits on a quiet shaded road next to the cathedral of Saint Andrew and the ruins of the ancient basilica of the same name. The saint himself, whose body lay in repose for many years until returned to his native Crete in the nineteenth century, died in a shipwreck off the coast of Eressos. The church is also next to the archeological museum. There are many churches around the island which celebrate on the name days of their patron saints. If you ask in the town you are staying in they will tell you when these festivals (panagiris) take place. Some of the more remote villages have interesting festivals with aspects that seem to have remnants of pagan times. Some festivals have horse races as part of the festivities and attract all sorts of people selling anything from icons to bootleg pop music CDs. The bigger festivals put up posters around the island. In Mytilini there are several important churches including theCathedral of Saint Athanasios whioch was built at the end of the 16th Century and has a secret underground tomb. The sacred relics of Saint Theodore, hung by the Turks in 1795 are kept here and his martyrdom is celebrated February 17th and also on the 4th Sunday after Easter. The saint has been credited with saving the island from a plague in 1836. The largest church in Mytilini isSaint Therapon (photo) built in 1860, which is just behind the habor road in the market. Supposedly the church sits on top of an ancient temple to Apollo. Both churches are full of Byzantine icons and impressive wood-carvings and gold. Also nearby is theChurch of Saint Theodore a triple-aisled baslica and the church of Saint Nicholas, a converted mosque. One cant have a web-page of churches in Lesvos without mentioning the beautiful little church of the Panagia Tis Gorgonas (The Mermaid Madonna) or also known as Panagia Ton Psaradon (The Madonna of the Fishermen), made famous in the wonderful book The Mermaid Madonna by Stratis Myrivilis, one of Lesvos and Greeces greatest writers. His books are a facinating study of the people and life in Lesvos in the early 20th century and are excellent reading companions. Every village has at least one main church and a number of smaller ones and there are also small churches scattered around the countryside. Some of the churches in the traditonal villages are as impressive or more so than those mentioned here. Exeptional churches are in the villages of Megalohori near Plomari and there are two beautiful old churches in Vatoussa. The convent of Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Founded in 1963, the convent was built on the site of a Byzantine monastery that was destroyed by Ottoman soldiers in 1463. It is especially renowned and receives thousands of pilgrims who come to the island solely to visit it and seek the blessing of the Saints. The abbess Eugenia Kleidara, the author of many religious books, and the 40 nuns who comprise the convent’s population are responsible for the convent’s communication and fine reputation. (lesvosgreece.gr/en/convent-saints-raphael-nicholas-and-irene) LESVOS ISLAND (freewebs) Municipality of Mandamados What to see: Taxiarchis Monastery Villages The municipality of Mandamados consists of the following villages: Mandamados, Palios, Pedi, Aspropotamos, Kapi, Tsonia, Kapi, Pelopi, Klio and Agios Stefanos. What to see: Mandamados: Taxiarchis Monastery (17th century) with the icon of Archangel Michael made up of mud and the blood of the monks slaughtered during a Turkish invasion. On the 3rd Sunday after Easter a festival finds place here. Ceramics Cheese, honey, olive oil Polikentro, restored oil mill and press. This is now a cultural centre and exhibition hall of pottery. Church of Agios Vasilios. Agios Stefanos: Old church Tsonia: Red pebbled beach. Chapel of Agia Anastasia, remnants of an early christian basilica. Pelopi: The town where Michael Dukakis (former candidate for American President) is born. Klio: On the road of Klio to Tsonia are ruins of a Byzantine castle known as Paleokastro. You still can see the parts of the walls and towers. Taxiarchis Monastery There is not much historical evidence of this monastery. Some experts think that it was built in the Byzantine times and destroyed by the Turks. Other experts think that it was built in the 16th century. Nowadays the church is a pilgrim place for thousands of Christians from all over the world because of its icon in relief of the Archangel Michael. According to the tradition Saracen pirates attacked the monastery and killed all 40 monks, except one, who were living there. The only survivor, a young novice, could escape and hide. He mixed the blood of the monks with earth to make clay and used it to make the icon of the Archangel. This icon is one of a few icons in relief in the Orthodox Church. The reason that the inhabitants of Lesvos offer metal shoes is the following tradition: They believe that the Archangel speeds every night over the island and therefore wearing out his shoes, but the biggest belief is that his shoes are worn out because He goes to wars to fight for saviour, independence, freedom and human pain. These shoes are regularly found in the morning before the church. Every 3rd Sunday after Easter a festival is held. During this festival a bull gets slaughtered and the traditional kiskeki (meat with wheat) gets prepared by all night long worship. From all over the island people walk to Mandamados or ride their horses in respect to the Archangel and to ask for health and success. Municipality of Mitilini Villages The municipality of Mitilini consists of the following villages: Mitilini, Taxiarches (Kayiani), Agia Marina, Pligoni, Akrotiri, Charamida, Agios Ermogenis, Loutra, Skala Loutron, Kountouroudia, Moria, Panagiouda, Pamfila, Alifanta and Afalonas. What to see Mitilini: Mitilini is the capital of the island and is built on seven hills. The castle of Gatelluzi. Church of Agios Therapontas. Here you can find the grave of Ignatios, the arch bishop of Hungaria-Walachia, a leading person in the Greek Revolution of 1821. Statue of Liberty at the edge of the port. Koulbara, the quarter with the traditional houses dating back to the Turkish occupation. You can find this quarter on the road parallel to the main road in front of the port. The old harbour (shipyard). Ermou street, the central commercial market of the town. The historical high school built in 1888-1890 following the plans of the architect Argiris Adalis. Yeni Tzami (1825) and Tsarsi Hamam (19th century), both these buildings are remnants of the Turkish occupation and serve nowadays as exhibition halls. Municipal Art Gallery in the mansion of the Turkish general Halim Bay. Kioski, one of the most aristocratic districts of Mitilini. Here you can find the former Ottoman Governors Office which presently houses the Ministry of the Aegean, the form Ottoman High School which now serves as a Court of First Instance and further down the street the newly built Archaeological Museum. Ancient theatre. The remnants of the ancient wall lie at a short distance. Marina. Towards airport you will find impressive mansions and residences. Byzantine museum Church of Agios Athanasios is built in the early 18th century. Its main feature is its vast, gothic belfry. Its a cross-shaped three aisle basilica with circumscribed dome. The church houses the relic of Agios Theodoros of Byzantium, the archbishop of Mitilini and therefore an important pilgrimsplace. Church of Agios Theodoras is a three aisle basilica and built in 1795 in order to replace an older church which was completely burned. Following the tradition it served as the Metropolis of Mitilini for some period after the conquest of the island by the Ottomans. The iconography of the church started in 1799. Its wood sculptured iconostasis was constructed in 1812 with representations in relief inspired by themes of the Old and New Testament and is deemed as the most valuable of the whole island. Behind the airport you can find remnants of a Turkish aquaduct. Taxiarches: Public watertap of Valide Chanoum 2 km away from Taxiarches you will find the cave Agios Bartholomaios, but this is not developed for tourism. Agia Marina: Church of Agia Marina (1797) Varia: Theophilos museum Teriade museum Loutra: Oil mills and press still in operation. Kountouroudia: Boat to the other coast of the Gulf. Moria: Roman aquaduct (2nd century). Remains of 170m long arches (17 in total) which used to supply the town of Mitilini with water flowing out from the springs of Agiasos. Church of Saint Vasilios (1769). Pamfila: Church of Agia Varvara (1878). Pamfila is surrounded by soap production factories, oil mills and presses. Important people from Lesbos Stratis Eleftheriadis (Teriade) He was born in Mitilini in 1897. On the age of 19 he left to Paris to study laws. He loved the art of painting and during his time in Paris he also studied this and became one of the best art critics. He was the most known publisher of magazines, books and newspapers about art. He worked together with the big names of international art societies. He stimulated a lot of art friends what lead to the publication of his “big books”. He financed the total building of the Theofilos museum in 1964. Also his vision of the Library museum, where all his work could be shown, lead to the construction of the Teriade Museum. He died in Paris in 1983. Theofilos Hatzimihail Theofilos was an autodidact and was born somewhere between 1867 and 1875 in Varia. He was one of 8 children from a poor family and his excentric behaviour made him a subject of irony for the people of the village. When he was 18 years old he decided to leave the area, so that he could spend his time on painting. He lived in Smyrna, where he painted and did strange jobs for the Greek Consult. Then he lived for 30 years in Pilion where he painted for his living. In the middle of the twenties he returned to Lesvos, where he lived till he died in 1934. His inspiration was his love for Greece and its history. He painted on every surface that he could find; walls of houses, coffee shops, bakeries, on wood, linen etc. Stratis Eleftheriadis was surprised of his work in 1929 and helped him to organize an exhibition of his work in Paris. Alcaeos The lyrical poet Alcaeos was born in Mitilini between 630 and 620BC. He was very active in politics and this you can find back in his poetry. His poems were his weapon in the political war. Besides his political poems he also wrote love poems and hymnes dedicated to the gods and heroes. He’s known as one of the most important poets from the ancient world. Most people think that he was the best of all, with exception of Sappho. His poems are recognized as the most important example of Aeolian style of poetry. Pittakos The politician and lawmaker Pittakos lived between 650 and 570 BC in Mitilini. He had moderate democratic ideas, but worked together with the aristocracy, lead by Alcaeos and his brothers, to banish tyranny in that way. After the last tyran Melanchrus was banished, the people gave the power to Pittakos. He ruled for 7 years and resigned when the democracy in Mitilini was established. They called him one of the 7 legends of the ancient time for the wisdom he showed as ruler and lawmaker. Museums/archaeological site Archaeological museum of Mitilini The archaeological museum is housed in two buildings. The old building is a three-story mansion with decorations in relief and among others the following can be seen: • Extensive collection of artifacts, statuettes, ceramics and jewels dating back from the Prehistoric to the Roman period. • In the museum courtyard priceless capitals, once part of the renowned Aeolian temples of Klopedi, inscriptions, funerary stelae, bas-reliefs, statues and coins are on display. The new building houses on a permanent basis an exhibition entitled “Lesvos: from the Hellenistic to Roman Age”. The collection of exhibits includes mosaic-tiled floors and wall paintings from the lavish Roman mansions of the 2nd century BC located in Mitilini. Opening hours: 08.30 - 15.00 hours. Mondays closed. Byzantine Museum in Mitilini It has operated since 1978 at a self-owned building opposite the entrance of Agios Therapontas. Among others the following collections can be seen: • Collection of portable icons covering a time period of more than 7 centuries from which the oldest icons date back to the 13th century. • Collection of heirlooms of older temples such as the main entrances to the Altar of the old church of Agios Therapontas and the catholic church of Taxiarches in Kato Tritos. Opening hours: 09.00 - 13.00 hours. Sundays closed. Teriade museum in Varia The museum of Modern Art has 20 halls from which 16 halls house 29 of his books illustrated by famous artists such as Picasso, Chagall, Laurence, Villon, Matisse etc. Each hall has its own showcase where each book is on display whereas most pictures and pages are exhibited on the walls. Also 40 paintings of Theofilos as well as works of another Greek painter, Tsarouchis can be seen. Opening hours: 09.00 - 17.00 hours (October - March). 09.00 - 14.00 & 17.00 - 20.00 (April - September) Theofilos museum in Varia 86 paintings of Theofilos of the period 1927-1934 can be seen. Opening hours: 10.00 - 16.00 hours. Mondays closed. Castle of Mitilini The castle concerned the following parts: 1. The acropolis (upper castle) built at the southern and highest part of the hill. 2. The main enclosure (central castle), the biggest part of which was constructed by the Genoese Gateluzzi. 3. The lower entrance (lower castle) located at the northwest part of the hill and constructed during the Turkish occupation. The most important monuments within the castle are the central western tower, the so-called “Queen’s tower” with the votive slab bearing the coat of arms of the Gateluzzi family, the eagle, and the four “B”s of the Byzantine Emperors Paleologus, the Koule mosque, the Ottoman gate Orta Kapou, the gunpowder depository, the Islamic monastery, the Ottoman theological school, the baths, the fountain and the reservoir. Excavations and restoration works are still under way.
Posted on: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 21:22:03 +0000
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