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SITES
ANCIENT SITES
EAST LESVOS
MYTILINI
Ancient Theatre of Mytilini
 Located
on the hill of Agia Kyriaki – at the Northwestern edge of
Mytilini. It was discovered during the excavations carried out
in 1958. It was build during the Hellenistic period and
reconstructed in the Roman period. It is considered one of the
biggest theatres of the antiquity, equal to Epidaurus with a
capacity of 15.000 people and perfect acoustics.
According to
tradition the Roman emperor Pompey during a visit to Lesvos
was so impressed by the theatre, he made it the prototype of
the Pompeian theatre in Rome. It has been muted that the Greek
State will eventually restore the theatre to be used again as
an open-air theatre.
Yeni Tzami & Turkish Bath
 Located
in the centre of Mytilene, not far from the Metropolis Church.
There were constructed during the Turkish Occupation, by Greek
builders and obvious Greek architectural influences.
Unfortunately both of them are in a bad state of repair due to
lack of conservation measures.
Statue of Liberty
 Installed
in 1922 at the base of the pine-clad hill under the Mytilene
Castle, which originally was the site of the picturesque small
castle “ Kastrelli “. It was made in Germany from bronze, from
a model created by the famous Greek Sculptor Gr. Zevgoli. The
Lesvian Painter G.Iakovides made the original design.
MORIA
Roman Aqueduct
 Located
600 m from the village of Moria (6 km from Mytilini). It is a
unique stone structure build during the Roman period 2nd
AD Century). It was constructed in order to supply water
to Mytiline from the water springs of the Agiasos area. The
water came from the lake Megali Limni (which since then has
been dried out) and along its 22 km route, it collected water
from other springs too.
Other parts of
the aqueduct have been found at gorges in Central Lesvos e.g.
Lampou Mili. At the area of Moria, the Aqueduct was 170 m
long, 27 m high and had 17 arches. Today it’s under
restoration and the visitor can admire a part of it, the
so-called “Kamares” = arches: twelve columns standing erect
holding seven curved arches, in grey marble from a local
quarry.
SOUTH
LESVOS
VATERA
The Temple of Dionysos
It
is thought that early Christian temples were build over the
Temple of Dionysos which is located on top of the rocky cape
of Agios Focas. These days the small church of Agios Fokas is
located next to the few remains of the Temple of Dionysos.
It is
asserted that most of its construction materials were taken
from the Temple.
CENTRAL LESVOS
AGIA PARASKEVI
The whole area of
the Municipality of Agia Paraskevi has been declared a
protected area due to special archaeological interest. The
most important ancient/archaeological sites of Lesvos are
located around the town of Agia Paraskevi.
Christian Temple
of Chalinados
 The
imposing ruins of this early Christian three aisled basilica
are located in a mountainous area by the forest, which is
crossed by the river Mylopotamos, and 3 km east of Agia
Paraskevi. An earthquake destroyed this temple; it was never
re-build, but was partly restored in 1954. Later a small
church of Agios Georgios was built in the central aisle.
The Bridge of Kremasti
 Its located 3 km
northwest of Agia Paraskevi, connecting the two sides of river
Tsiknias. It was constructed in the Gateluzan Period ( 1355
-1432 ) from materials reclaimed from the Temple of Klopedi
and the neighbouring church of Agios Therapon. Originally it
was used for military and commercial purposes.
There is an old
story for this bridge similar to the story for the bridge of
Arta, Ipiros ( Which says: In order for the structure of a new
bridge to be stable, the wife of the builder in charge had to
be “build in” alive at the centre point of the bridge. A flat
white slab with the sign of the cross carved in it, located at
the centre point of Kremasti bridge, for some people indicate
where the wife of the builder in charge of this bridge was
“placed”.
The Temple of
Klopedi
 Located
2 km west of Agia Paraskevi, The excavations have brought to
light the Temple, which was first constructed during the 8th
Century B.C. It was completed during the 6th
Century B.C., surrounded by an aisle of 46 columns carrying
the very characteristic Aeolian marble decorations
According to one
theory the Temple was dedicated to the Napaian God Apollo.
However it is beyond doubt that the Temple was a significant
place of worship for the area.
The Temple of Messa
 It
is located in a small valley, amongst farmhouses and
smallholdings, near the Salt Pans of Kalloni, and at a small
distance from the remains of the Ancient town of Pyrra.It
was constructed during the 3rd Century B.C. by the Aeolians
when they first came to live in Lesvos. It was a place of
worship for the Aeolian Triad (Zeus – Hera – Dionysus) and
later it became a central place of worship for all the
Lesviot towns.
Festivals were conducted here each year to honour the gods
and beauty contests to select the most beautiful Lesion
maiden.
In September 2005 a new open air Museum was inaugurated and
the site is now upgraded with excellent hygiene facilities.
It is open most days, there is no entrance fee and finally
it is clearly signposted from the arterial road that links
Kalloni & Mytilini. So if you are out and about on foot or
by car it is worth visiting.
Photo
Gallery
WEST LESVOS
ANCIENT ANTISSA
 It
is located on the peninsula between the two bays near
Skalohori. Going towards Gavatha and following the signs you
can easily reach the site. The remains of medieval walls and a
fortress are visible as well as columns and pieces of marble
scattered all the way around the valley, near the small church
overlooking the sea. It is to be assumed that most of Ancient
Antissa lies unexcavated beneath the soil. 
ERESSOS
Acropolis Eressou
Build on a hill,
named VIGLA, it is estimated that the perimeter of the
Acropolis is roughly 1 km in length and the size of the area
it commanded nearly 45 acres. During the Hellenistic Period
the town of Eressos was extended and a further 15 acres were
added to the Akropolis. Some remains of the surrounding
polygonal walls (build from trachyte) and dating from the
Archaic Period are surviving.
At the top of the
hill the remains of a Byzantine fort are also evident. It was
constructed during the Gateluzan Period and it was in use
until the occupation of the town by the Turks in 1462.
Other remains at
the site are, a Roman Cistern and two turrets, one Genoese and
the other Turkish.
The Basilica of Agios Andreas
Monks from the
Monastery Pithariou discovered the remains of this three
aisled basilica, during the 19th Century, which was
originally constructed during the first half of the 5th
Century A.D. Mosaic floors with animal and plant
representations are surviving. It is located next door to the
Archaeological Museum.
It is the opinion
of Gerald Schaus in his 1991 archaeological survey of the area
of Eressos, that this Basilica and the one located at the site
of “Afendeli” were destroyed and abandoned at the time the
fort was build on top of “Vigla” hill.
The Basilica of Afendeli
 In
the area “Afendeli” the remains of a three aisled basilica
have been found which was constructed in the middle 5th
Century A.D. Mosaics in very good condition, with good
representations of peacocks were found. Of special interest is
the sarcophagus of the Saint (containing his mortal remains)
to whom the church was dedicated.
It is also
suggested that this was the site where at a much earlier era
the School of the Philosopher and Botanist Theofrastos was
located.
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