Lesvos

Lesvos Island is the largest island of the North-Eastern Aegean group of islands, and the third largest island of Greece. It is the birthplace of the ancient poetess Sappho, of the writer Aesop and of the philosophers Aristotle and Epicurus.

Mytilini is the capital and main harbour on the island. In fact there are two harbours, divided by a massive 6th century kastro. The town has a modern feel to it, but does have an old market that is well worth a visit.

Molyvos is the main holiday destination on the island and is extremely picturesque. Grey stone houses are topped with red tiled roofs and many of the old timbered buildings have been restored. The market in the centre is full of tourist shops. Steep, traffic free streets lead up to an imposing Genoese fortress that is illuminated at night. Down from the market is a narrow, cobbled main street, containing craft shops, artists galleries and souvenir shops. Along here the tavernas have superb views over the sea, but the prices charged reflect this.

At the bottom is a very pretty fishing harbour lined with some excellent fish tavernas, and to the south a narrow, stony beach. The town end of the beach has sand underfoot in the shallows while the southern end, though less crowded, has large underwater boulders that are covered with sea urchins.

The main western resort is Skala Eressos. It is considered by some to be the best beach on the island although some care should be taken as it shelves quite steeply into the sea. Despite being popular with package tour companies, the resort manages to retain a charm of its own. The village is modern but nicely laid out, behind the beach there is an attractive square. There is a small and attractive harbour with its own sheltered beach, nearby, is a spring fed lake.

Sigri is a nice pleasant place to visit, it has a picturesque church, a museum and a castle. There are a number of good tavernas, plus, to one side of the town, there is quite a nice beach. There is a good view of the ports main defences from the castle walls.

History

The island has been inhabited since at least the Neolithic period. During the Bronze age it developed into an advanced civilization. In 1507 B.C. the island was colonized by the Pelasgians. In 1393 to 1184 B.C. it was ruled by the Aecheans and from 1100 to 1000 B.C. by the Aeolians. When the Persians seized the state of Lydia in 456 B.C. Lesvos came under their control. During the Peloponnesian war, the island revolted against the Athenians and in 427 B.C. the Athenian general Pachis the Epicure conquered the island, and thousands of islanders were put to death. In 405 B.C. Lesvos succumbed to the Spartans who were led by Lysander. There then followed an exchange of power between the Athenians and the Spartans and in 375 B.C. Lesvos took part in the second Athenian league. At the end of the third century B.C. Lesvos came under the Ptolemies of Egypt and in 88 B.C. the Romans conquered the island. After the Romans, the Byzantines gained control but neglected the island. During this period there were repeated attacks by the Slavs, Saracens, and the Russians and Lesvos was plundered by the Venetians and the Crusaders. Later the island was occupied by the Turks, during the occupation there were many attacks on th island. In 1771 the Russian fleet shelled Turkish ships in Mytilini harbour, and bombarded the fortress. In reprisal the Turks slaughtered the Christians. In November 1912, the island was liberated by the Greek fleet. In 1922 a large number of refugees from Asia Minor came to Lesvos. In 1923, after the signing of the treaty of Lausanne, the island was ceded to Greece. During World War II the island was occupied by the Germans between May 1941 and September 1944.