Culture &
Antiquity

Lesvos is known as the “Island of Poets” A source of inspiration for writers, artists and musicians from ancient times until today… Sappho, Arion, Aristotle, Alkaios, Theofrastos …and from modern times-Nobel Prize winner for literature Odysseas Elytis, Stratis Myrivilis-author of “The School Mistress with Golden Eyes”, and Argyris Eftaliotis to name but a few.

Visitors can emerge themselves in our rich culture and visit a vast number of archaeological sites, Medieval Castles, Ancient Temples, Amphitheaters, Catacombs, Aqueducts, Museums and Art Galleries found all over the island.

www.efales-ar.gr

August is also the month we celebrate music and dance here on Lesvos with major events such as: The “Arion” International Guitar Festival in the beginning of August The Molyvos International Music Festival in mid August. You can also enjoy amazing shows such as the Traditional Greek Dance Festivals, where professional and local dance groups showcase traditional Greek dances from all over Greece.

Name of the island

The island has had many prehistoric names like: Imerti (beloved), Lassia (with thick forests), Aigeria (place of sunbathed people), Ethiopia (sundried island) and Macar, which was the name of the mythical chief of the tribe, Makaras, son of the sun. Another source mentions that the north port was a region on the island known as Lesvos and that the island took its name from there. In all probability this region was located at Lisvorio where important prehistoric ruins have been found in the Kourtir area. However, the name of the island is also attributed to its extraordinary natural beauty.

References from ancient writers (Homer, Myrsilos, Theophrastus)

Lesvos is also mentioned in Homer’s poems. During the first years of the Trojan War Odysseus fought and overcame king Philomedes. Achilles attacked the island many times and during one of these attacks on the southern shore he imprisoned beautiful Briseis. He was enraged however when Agamemnon took her away from him. Homer mentions that the 7 women Agamemnon offered Achilles to placate his anger were from Lesvos and ‘they surpassed in beauty the entire female kind’. Poet Parthenios recounts that Achilles managed to conquer the strong walls of Mithymna with the help of the traitor daughter of king Peidikidis. According to historian Myrsilos, on Mount Lepetymnos there was an important temple of Apollo where he and Artemis were enjoying particular worship. Theophrastus mentions that astrologer Matriketas had his observatory at the summit of Mount Lepetymnos. According to another ancient lore, the grave of Palamedes, the Homeric hero and founder of writing and numbers, was on the slopes of this mountain.

Ancient History (7th century BC – 3rd century AD)

The island of Lesvos has been inhabited since 3300 BC by Pelasgians, the Leleges and the Tyrrheneans. Later, around 1400 BC, the Aeolians arrive from central Greece and around 1000 BC the Achaeans from the Peloponnese. They are the ones that founded the ‘Lesbian Hexapolis’ (six cities) consisting of Mytilini, Antissa, Pyrra, Arisvi, Mithymna and Eresos. Despite the tyrannical rule by the family of Penthelides in Mytilini, the 7th and 6th centuries BC are a period of great glory in Lesvos. In the course of adverse political conditions and social reorganisation, important people like Pittakos, one of the Seven Sages of ancient times, distinguished themselves. Close to the end of the 6th century BC, Lesvos was pillaged by the Persians. Since then the island lost its autonomy and experienced repeated attacks and battles. After the end of the Persian wars and the triumph of the Greeks, the cities of Lesvos became members of the Delian League and later on they took an active part in the events of the Peloponnesian War. In 428 BC the revolt of the Mytilinians against the Delian League resulted in the slaughter of the male population of the city and the enslavement of the civilian population.

Hellenistic and Roman Period

During the Hellenistic period Lesvos was under the influence of the Macedonian and later of the Ptolemaic dominance. Indeed, in 88 BC Lesvos allied itself with the king of Pontus Mithridates in an effort to force the Romans out of the Aegean Sea. This failed attempt led to the occupation of the island and to penalties by the Romans.

During the Roman period the economy of Lesvos flourished. Testimonies to the prosperity of that period are the elaborate buildings with the magnificent mosaics that bejewel the archaeological museums of Mytilini. It is also evident from the monumental public projects carried out during that same period like the ancient theatre of Mytilini that impressed the Roman emperor Pompey the Great, and the aqueduct in Moria that supplied the capital of Lesvos with water.

The island continued to thrive during the Early Christian period as well, as we can see from the existence of the two dioceses (Mytilini and Mithymna).

The Gattilusi (Byzantine Period)

During the Byzantine period, Lesvos belonged administratively to the province of islands with Rhodes as capital. After the introduction of the thematic organisation of the empire, Lesvos was included in the marine ‘theme’ of Samos. During the same periods it was also used as an exile place for public figures of the empire. It was distinguished however for the organised spiritual life centring on the diocese and the monastic centres of the island. In 1354 the administration of Lesvos is taken on by the Venetian family of Gattilusi, as the island was given as dowry by John V Palaiologos to Francis Gattilusi who married Mary, the sister of the emperor. The period of the Gattilusi rule lasted over 100 years and it belongs to the historical periods of Lesvos that can be rated as positive, as the Venetian leaders ruled wisely, respecting the religion and the customs of the local population and they contributed to the economic development of the island. After all, the Gattilusi passed from Lesvos more as ‘commercial agents’ than as conquerors, using the island as the home base for their commercial transactions in Syria and Egypt as well as a transit station towards their other domains at the Black Sea.

Ottoman Period

The Gattilusi surrendered the island to Mehmed the Conqueror in 1462. During the first period of the Turk occupation the population was reduced drastically as after the island was conquered, 10.000 Lesbians were transferred to Istanbul to increase its population as part of the Ottoman Empire policy. The demographic bleeding of Lesvos was repeated two years later (1464), after the failed marine operation by Venetian admiral Justiniani, while the attacks from pirates and the Venetians exacerbated the situation. The repeated attempts of westerners to take over the island because of its strategic position resulted in intensifying the Turkish cruelty during the first two centuries of the Turkish occupation. These ordeals however did not break the morale of the people and despite the unfavourable geographical position of the island for participating in a revolution, the contribution of the Lesbians in the campaigns of the Peloponnese and the Central Greece Region during the Revolution for independence in 1821 was considerable. It is worth noting that in 1839 the Turkish hamam interior administrative reform of the Ottoman Empire abolished the monopoly of the naseers (Ottoman officers) in the commerce of local products, creating this way the conditions for the development of the Greeks, mainly in the economy sector. The years that followed were characterised by the growth of olive tree cultivation, the organised commerce of olive oil and the development of industry and exports. At the same time education flourished providing the setting for cultural and social improvement.

Later years

The difficult period of the Ottoman occupation in Lesvos ended in 1912. Mytilini was liberated on November 8th and the rest of island, one month later. With the Asia Minor Catastrophe and the cessation of the island’s connection to Asia Minor, the peak period came to an end. In 1922, after the Asia Minor Catastrophe, Lesvos became a refugee settlement. The massive advent of refugees restructured the social web and the distribution of population while it led the island to an economic flourish thanks to the knowledge and cosmopolitan way of thinking bequeathed by refugees on all aspects of economic activity. With the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923, Lesvos was given to Greece permanently. In 1941 the island capitulates to the German army. In 1944, the German occupation ends, after three years of famine, misery and suffering. In the years after the Civil War, the political persecutions and the economic depression lead to a wave of internal and external migration resulting in the dramatic reduction of the population and desolation of several villages of the island.

Lesvos is rich in “relics of the past”, from castles to the Ancient Theatre of Mytilene, from remnants of Roman Aqueducts to Ancient Temples, as well as art galleries and museums which can be found in various locations throughout the island. Plan a day-excursion exploring the archaeological sites, monuments and museums of Lesvos!

Castles of Lesvos

The Castle of Mytilene , one of the biggest in the Mediterranean, is situated in the northeast side of the city, on the highest part of the peninsula, where the ancient acropolis used to be. Its oldest phase dates to the 6th century and it was part of Justinian’s construction plan. Conquerors and earthquakes have left significant marks on it, but it still is one of the best examples of fortifying architecture. It has been repaired and conserved since the ’70s, when it started serving as a monument.

Ovriocastro – The Castle of Ancient Antissa: Excavations are currently taking place in the region of Ovriocastro, near Skalochori village, where the Castle of Ancient Antissa has been unearthed. Considered to be the 2nd largest castle on Lesvos, stay tuned for the amazing findings of extreme historic significance!

Mithymna Castle is situated in the northern part of Lesvos Island at the location of ancient Mithymna, the third largest castle on Lesvos in size and significance. It was constructed during the Byzantine Period on the ruins of extensive ancient walls meant to repel attacks by the Franks and the Turks, and that too was fortified during the Venetian period.

Sigri Castle is one of the subsequent fortified projects on the island. It is situated in the westernmost past of Lesvos in Sigri and was built in 1757 by Suleiman pasha to protect the area from pirate attacks and to ensure the safe transportation of merchandise. The castle is characterised by the Arabian arc above the gate with red and white stones.

Ancient Theatre

A flourishing society, such as the one in Mytilene, could not but have its theatre. The first constructive phase of the Ancient Theatre of Mytilene dates to the beginning of the Hellenistic period, but during the post-Roman period, the theatre was reconstructed. What survives today is the latest constructing phase. The horseshoe concave, 107m in diameter dug into the brittle volcanic rock, is estimated to have had a capacity of about 10,000 people. It was covered by marble statues none of which was found in its place. The orchestra is circular with a 24m diameter. It was constructed from pressed soil on the specially shaped rock. Plutarch, in his Life of Pompey, suggests that the Roman general marveled at the theatre of Mytilene and copied its construction plans for the theatre he built in Rome in 55 A.D. It is worth a visit for its wonderful view alone.

Roman Aqueduct

The Roman Aqueduct of the city is one of the most impressive monuments of Lesvos. Its construction dates back to the end of the 2nd or the beginning of the 3rd century AD. The most preserved part is in the area of Moria, about 6Km north of the city and it is called Kamares. The arcade that remains is 170m in length and has 17 arcs. The construction supplied water from Mt. Olympus to Mytilene and it is a marvel of Roman construction technique. Remnants of the Roman Aqueduct may also be found in the region of Lambou Milous.

Ancient Sanctuary of Klopedi (Agia Paraskevi)

The Klopedi Sanctury is situated northwest of Agia Paraskevi of Lesvos and it is one of the most significant specimens of archaic architecture on the island. The temple, most probably dedicated to Napaios Apollo, was first built in the 8th century BC and took its final form in the middle of the 6th century BC. Ancient Temple of Messon (Agia Paraskevi)

The Meson Temple

The Meson Temple can be found at the Koukala or Kokkala agricultural region of Agia Paraskevi. In antiquity it was close to the northern border of ancient of Pyrra and in the centre of Lesvos, where it got the name Meson from, according to the Aeolic form of the word (meson: Greek for middle).

Yeni Tzami (New Mosque)

Yeni Tzami is the biggest Muslim mosque in Mytilene, a remnant of the Ottoman Empire situated in the middle of the former Ottoman market. Some frescos have been salvaged in its interior, and it functions as exhibition premises.

Museums

The Museum – Library Stratis Eleftheriadis – Tériade

“The Museum – Library Stratis Eleftheriadis – Tériade opened to the public in August 1979. It hosts, preserves and displays all the works of Stratis Eleftheriadis – Tériade, an inspired and unique personality and artist. Tériade was a man who comprehended the meaning of modern art and stood by young artists supporting them. The Museum also hosts the works of renowned artists which are displayed together with issues of the “Great Books” and of Verve editions with lithographs by Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Fernand Léger and others. The exhibition also includes works of the folk painter Theophilos and paintings by significant Greek artists. Finally, works by famous Greek painters, such as Tsarouchis, Kanellis, Vakirtzis and others have found a wonderful home.” http://www.museumteriade.gr/en/

Theofilos Chatzimihail Museum

The Theophilos Museum was erected in 1964 in Vareia, a suburb of Mytilini, where the self-taught folk painter Theophilos Chatzimichail (1867-1934) was born and passed his childhood years. It was funded by the famous Mytilinian art publisher in Paris Stratis Eleftheriades (Tériade). In 1965 Tériade donated it to the Municipality of Mytilini together with 86 paintings by Theophilos from his private collection and it has been operating as a municipal museum ever since. The building is built with Mytilinian stone which matches perfectly the endless olive grove that surrounds it. In his works themed around nature, history, mythology and folk tales, Theophilos portrayed greekness and illustrated Greek folk traditions in an unprecedented manner.

The Old and a New Archeological Museum

The Old and a New Archeological Museum in Mytilene host the artefacts of an island filled with life since Neolithic times. The Old building, a mansion with its outbuildings, was erected in the beginning of the 20th century in an Eclectic style, and is definitely worth a visit even for the building itself! It was built in 1912 by the Vournazos family and it consists of a ground floor and two additional levels. The erection of the building was completed in 1995 and in March 1999 the permanent exhibition titled ‘Lesvos from the Hellenistic to the Roman Period’ was opened, concentrating on one of the most important periods in the development of ancient Lesvos from the 4th century BC to the 3rd century . The New Archeological Museum is a fine example of modern museological conception: it is situated at the location of Kioski, where recent excavations uncovered Aphrodite’s temple. The exhibition offers visitors an impression of what life was like on Lesvos from the 2nd century B.C until the 3rd century A.D.

The Byzantine Museum

The Byzantine Museum is situated across the church of Agios Therapon in Mytilene. It hosts a collection of heirlooms of great ecclesiastical value, portable icons, vestments, ecclesiastical relics, manuscripts and old ecclesiastical books, elaborate iconostases of old churches, as well as an icon of the Assumption of Virgin Mary, created by the popular artist Theophilos, all of which unravel the island’s ecclesiastical history.

The Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest

The Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest is located in Sigri, Lesvos. It was founded for the purpose of studying, researching, promoting, exhibiting and safeguarding the petrified forest of Lesvos, which has been declared a listed monument of nature of particular environmental, geological and paleontological value. The museum is a window to history and the evolution of the Aegean basin the last 20.000.000 years. The rooms of the museum host permanent exhibitions dedicated to the petrified forest of Lesvos and the geo-historical evolution of the Aegean region. Rare plant fossils from west Lesvos with a display of the geological phenomena and the processes associated with the formation of the Petrified Forest may be found there, amongst many other amazing findings. Don’t miss it! https://www.lesvosmuseum.gr/en

Traditional settlements

Lesvos is blessed with an array of traditional settlements all over the island that fire the imagination of visitors as they have stood the test of time and exist in total harmony with their natural environment. The materials used for building houses can be found in the nearby forests, the closest quarries, the endless mountains. Their architecture has been defined by the surrounding terrain, the regional climate, the best possible exploitation of natural elements. These factors don’t simply make the traditional settlements attractive but more importantly ideal examples for ecological development. The settlements classified as traditional in Lesvos are: Mithymna (Molyvos), Sykamia, Petra, Polichnitos, Vatousa, Eresos, Mantamados, Agia Paraskevi, Agiasos, Asomatos, Plomari.

Manor houses

The indisputably magnificent manor houses that adorn Lesvos are a trade mark of its housing identity and testimony to the economic prosperity of the past. Most of them were built at the end of 18th and beginning of 19th century by wealthy city merchants who, taking advantage of the commercially located key position of the island between East and West, accumulated sizeable wealth from their financial activities. The manors combine elements of classic Greek architecture with many western-European architectural features. Despite the fact that after the war there wasn’t sufficient protection of these buildings, several important houses still survive today, as much at the entrance of the city of Mytilini as in many of the villages in the backcountry.

Industrial architecture (olive presses, tanning, soap-making)

Various industrial buildings are the remnants highlighting the once intense economic activity of Lesvos during the 19th century. They are autonomous large complexes of olid olive presses, flour mills, tanning and soap-making facilities made of stone or brick, scattered over the entire island. The last few years a lot of effort has been put into utilizing these industrial buildings either by restoring them and re-operating them the way they were intended to be used but under modern conditions, or by converting them into industrial exhibition spaces or multipurpose cultural centres. Excellent cases, among others, are the Vrana oil press at Papados of Gera, which is the oil press of the Alepoudelis (Elytis) family, the oil press at Agia Paraskevi which is used as an industrial exhibition hall and a cultural centre by the Pireaus Bank Group Cultural Foundation, the municipal Multipurpose centres of Plomari and Mantamados and more!

Local music and dances

The residents of Lesvos, the Aeolians, a racial and linguistic category different to that of other islands of the archipelagos, have their own musical and verse style. The linguistic difference of Mytilinians is evident in the distinct linguistic prosody as well as in the musical and dancing differentiation. Many ‘familiar’ melodies, urban folk songs and serenades display an amazing variety in songs, tunes and dances. Sometimes they are distinguished by their purely local colour and other times they are created as a result of their interaction geographically between the island and the urban centres of Istanbul and Smyrna. The folk dancing tradition of Lesvos, with a strong local colour, has influences from the Asia Minor coast and especially from Edremid, Ayvalik and Smyrna. Mainly four time units are used to reflect the varied melodies of syrtos dance, balos, hassapia or hassapiko or mazomenos or mazochtos or pidichtos or anegas’kou or Russian or gaida, as well as local dances included in several traditional occasions depending on the event, as for instance the ‘syrtos in three’ women’s marital dance or nifikatou or nif’katou or stavrotou (Lisvori) and the mimicking carnival dances arapis or arap’s or arap’kous, dourou-dourou or geros, koukia or k’tsia etc.

Celebrations and Festivals

Just like everywhere else in Greece, festivals have always played a prevalent role in the social, cultural and economic life on Lesvos. Some of them are more local, while others last longer, attract bigger crowds and go far beyond a strictly local character. Until 1922, these festivals mainly attracted crowds of visitors from the Christian communities of Asia Minor, such as those of Smyrna (Izmir) and Aivali (Ayvalik). Typical examples include the Festival of the Virgin in Agiassos on August 15, the Festival of Taxiarchis on Kyriaki ton Miroforon (third Sunday after Easter Sunday) at Mantamado, the Festival of Agios Haralambos at Agia Paraskevi, as well as the festival of Agios Ignatios at Moni Leimonos (Monastery of the Meadow) in the district of Kalloni. After the 1950s, a second series of customs emerged in the history of Lesvos; these are associated with the “horse culture” and gradually gained more and more attention. Riders decorate their horses in particularly good taste, while they compete with each other in showing off tricks and dancing. At many festivals they hold horse races with participants from every part of the island. Besides old traditional festivals that echo the history of the island, there are numerous other well-established events, many of which are associated with select island products. There is the The Lesvos Foodfest held all over the island, the Ouzo Festival held in Mytilene and Plomari, The Sardine Festival at the Quay of Kalloni, The Cherry Festival and Chestnut Festival in Agiassos, and more…a plethora of culinary festivals introduce the products of Lesvos and become an excuse for traditional flavours to come back to life and for outstanding celebrations to take place .

Εxtra tip: When touring the island, look out for the sound of santouri. Seek out the excellent local instrument players and enjoy their music. This melodic instrument from the urban centres of Asia Minor passed through the islands of the Eastern Aegean and made a new home on music loving Lesvos. A magical moment is the procession of the Epitaph to the sound of santouri at Asomatos village at Easter time!

Lesvos has been a source of inspiration for writers, artists and musicians and philosophers from ancient times until today…

In Lesvos, arts, literature and culture have had a prominent place in the lives of people since the beginning of time. From antiquity up to and including modern times, Lesvos is the birthplace of a large number of poets, musicians, historians and philosophers, distinguished in their time and famous even today. Born and bred here in antiquity were the epic poet Lesches, archaic poets Arion, Terpander and Alcaeus, Pittacus, one of the Seven Sages of antiquity, Theophrastus of Eresos, the pupil and heir of Aristotle, the important philosopher and founder of botany Longus who wrote “Daphnis and Chloe”, the first novel in the world, and many others that made the island famous in those ancient times. And of course among them, the one hailed as the tenth Muse, unrivalled Sappho.

But in the later and modern years too, the island ‘gave birth’ to other lovers of literature and the arts. In the 18th century, Ignatius of Oungrovlachia and Benjamin of Lesvos, a great enlightener and a veritable Teacher of the Nation. In the 19th century the Demetrios and Grigorios Vernadakis brothers, and Georgios Aristeidis who supported Greek education and the spiritual life of the land during this period. In the 20th century Argyris Eftaliotis, a pioneer in the use of demotiki (vernacular), followed by prose writer Stratis Myrivilis, author of the masterpiece of modern Greek literature “Life in the Tomb”, and of course Elias Venezis, all three of whom offered through their work antiwar and humanitarian stimuli to a worldwide audience. Then Asimakis Panselinos, Nick Kambas, Miltos Koundouras and many others who lit the ‘Lesbian Spring’, to Nobel winner Odysseas Elytis who’s poetry together with Sappho’s made the unique and special physiognomy of Lesvos known around the globe.

Scan to learn more

	Archaeological Sites-Monuments of Lesvos	Website
	Sanctuary of Messon by Agia Paraskevi
	Sanctuary of Klopedi by Agia Paraskevi
	Basilica of Chalinados by Agia Paraskevi
	Ovriokastro or the Castle of St. Theodoron in Ancient Antissa
	Ancient Mythimna
	Castle of Mithymna
	Castle of Sigri
	“Kaloktistos” ancient wall in Apothikas
	Fortress-Vigla, Eresos
	Acropolis of Eressos
	Vareltzidena Mansion of Petra
	The Temple of St. Stephanos- Agios Stephanos-Mandamados
	Roman Aqueduct of Moria
	Ancient quarry of Moria
	Castle of Mitilini
	Ancient theatre of Mitilini
	Yeni Mosque of Mitilini
	Carsi Hamam of Mitilini
	Valide Mosque-Mitilini
	Roman villa at the junction of P. Agioritou and Achilleion streets in Mitilini
	Roman villa on Nicomedia street in Mitilini
	Roman Fish Tank in Makry Gialos of Mitilini
	Late Roman building in Mitilini
	“Home of Menadros” from the Roman Period – Mitilini
	Hellenistic gallery in the Upper Skala of Mitilini
	Hellenistic and Roman building in Mitilini
	The Mesagro Bakery
	Ancient quarry of Tsaf
	Archaeological Site of Thermi
	Tower of Tsoukaladelli in Thermi
	Ancient Harbours of Lesvos – EPHORATE OF MARINE ANTIQUITIES, Underwater research of the ancient ports of Lesvos
	Ancient Harbour of Antissa
	Ancient Harbour of Eressos
	Ancient Harbour of Pyrra in the Bay of Kalloni
	Tsamour Limani, Skalohori
	Ancient Harbour of Mitilini

	Archaeological Sites-Monuments of Lesvos	Website
	Sanctuary of Messon by Agia Paraskevi	.
	Sanctuary of Klopedi by Agia Paraskevi	.
	Basilica of Chalinados by Agia Paraskevi	.
	Ovriokastro or the Castle of St. Theodoron in Ancient Antissa	.
	Ancient Mythimna	.
	Castle of Mithymna	.
	Castle of Sigri	.
	“Kaloktistos” ancient wall in Apothikas	.
	Fortress-Vigla, Eresos	.
	Acropolis of Eressos	.
	Vareltzidena Mansion of Petra	.
	The Temple of St. Stephanos- Agios Stephanos-Mandamados	.
	Roman Aqueduct of Moria	.
	Ancient quarry of Moria	.
	Castle of Mitilini	.
	Ancient theatre of Mitilini	.
	Yeni Mosque of Mitilini	.
	Carsi Hamam of Mitilini	.
	Valide Mosque-Mitilini	.
	Roman villa at the junction of P. Agioritou and Achilleion streets in Mitilini	.
	Roman villa on Nicomedia street in Mitilini	.
	Roman Fish Tank in Makry Gialos of Mitilini	.
	Late Roman building in Mitilini	.
	“Home of Menadros” from the Roman Period – Mitilini	.
	Hellenistic gallery in the Upper Skala of Mitilini	.
	Hellenistic and Roman building in Mitilini	.
	The Mesagro Bakery	.
	Ancient quarry of Tsaf	.
	Archaeological Site of Thermi	.
	Tower of Tsoukaladelli in Thermi	.
	Ancient Harbours of Lesvos – EPHORATE OF MARINE ANTIQUITIES, Underwater research of the ancient ports of Lesvos	.
	Ancient Harbour of Antissa
	Ancient Harbour of Eressos
	Ancient Harbour of Pyrra in the Bay of Kalloni
	Tsamour Limani, Skalohori
	Ancient Harbour of Mitilini

Museums & Collections on Lesvos	Website	Contact
The new Archeological Museum of Mitilini		22510 44913
Old Archaeological Museum Mitilini		22510 28032
Museum of the Castle of Mitilini		22510 27970
The Eleftheriadis-Teriade Library and Museum of Modern Art		22510 23372
Theophilos Museum		22510 41644
Municipal Art Gallery of Mitilini Halim Bey		22510 48002
The Ecclesesiastical-Byzantine Museum		[email protected]
The Vrana Olive Press Museum in Papados		22510 82007
The Barbayannis Ouzo Museum in Plomari		22520 32741 /22520 33300
Plomari Ouzo Distillery Isidoros Arvanitis		22520 31450
The Museum of Soap Manufacturing hosted in the Cultural Centre of Plomari		22523 50101 /22520 32320
Eva Distillery Ouzo Museum – Pagani Mitilini		22510 23700
The Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest in Sigri		22510 47033 /22510 54434
Archaeological Collection Eresos		22530-53037
GeorgiosIakovidis Digital Art Museum in Hidira		22530 51128
The Gogou Archontiko at Vatoussa
Archaeological-Folklore collection Napi		22530 31237
The Museum of Industrial Olive Oil Production of Lesvos in Agia Paraskevi		22530 32300
K-Gold Temporary Gallery in Agia Paraskevi		+30 6942202222
The Folklore Exhibit of Pelopi For information contact the local Municipal Office – Maria Kehagia		+30 6974456834
Municipal Art Gallery of Molyvos Open Seasonally -For information, contact the local Municipal Office		22530 71323
Ottoman Hamam Museum of Molyvos Open Seasonally -For information, contact the local Municipal Office		22530 71323
Folklore Museum of Strati Myrivilli, Sykaminia		+30 6973246568
Τhe Spiritual Reading Center “Development” of Agiasos
Resin Museum of Ampeliko Lesvos		2252091287
The Museum of Paleontology and Geology – Vrisa Natural History Collection	Temporarily closed
The Ottoman Baths Museum of Kalloni -Costume and Embroidery of Lesvos Exhibit	Temporarily closed

Museums & Collections on Lesvos	Website	Contact
The new Archeological Museum of Mitilini	.	22510 44913
Old Archaeological Museum Mitilini		22510 28032
Museum of the Castle of Mitilini		22510 27970
The Eleftheriadis-Teriade Library and Museum of Modern Art	.	22510 23372
Theophilos Museum	.	22510 41644
Municipal Art Gallery of Mitilini Halim Bey		22510 48002
The Ecclesesiastical-Byzantine Museum	.	[email protected]
The Vrana Olive Press Museum in Papados	.	22510 82007
The Barbayannis Ouzo Museum in Plomari	.	22520 32741 /22520 33300
Plomari Ouzo Distillery Isidoros Arvanitis	.	22520 31450
The Museum of Soap Manufacturing hosted in the Cultural Centre of Plomari		22523 50101 /22520 32320
Eva Distillery Ouzo Museum – Pagani Mitilini	.	22510 23700
The Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest in Sigri	.	22510 47033 /22510 54434
Archaeological Collection Eresos	.	22530-53037
GeorgiosIakovidis Digital Art Museum in Hidira	.	22530 51128
The Gogou Archontiko at Vatoussa	.
Archaeological-Folklore collection Napi	.	22530 31237
The Museum of Industrial Olive Oil Production of Lesvos in Agia Paraskevi	.	22530 32300
K-Gold Temporary Gallery in Agia Paraskevi	.	+30 6942202222
The Folklore Exhibit of Pelopi For information contact the local Municipal Office – Maria Kehagia		+30 6974456834
Municipal Art Gallery of Molyvos Open Seasonally -For information, contact the local Municipal Office		22530 71323
Ottoman Hamam Museum of Molyvos Open Seasonally -For information, contact the local Municipal Office		22530 71323
Folklore Museum of Strati Myrivilli, Sykaminia	.	+30 6973246568
The Museum of Paleontology and Geology – Vrisa Natural History Collection	Temporarily closed
The Ottoman Baths Museum of Kalloni -Costume and Embroidery of Lesvos Exhibit	Temporarily closed

Source: ETAL S.A.

The welcometolesvos.com site is the official tourism website of the Public Entity of Culture, Tourism & Sports of the Municipality of Western Lesvos and aims to provide valuable information regarding the historical, cultural and tourist attractions of Lesvos island, its natural environment, activities, events and much more!

MUNICIPALITY OF WEST LESVOS

MEDIA LIBRARY

USEFUL LINKS

Made by Younet Digital Life with Love

Culture & Antiquity

Culture &
Antiquity

My Holiday

Your selected destinations.

MUNICIPALITY OF WEST LESVOS

MEDIA LIBRARY

USEFUL LINKS