15 Reasons to Visit Lesvos Island Greece and Things to Do in this Unique Destination

Author

George Papadellis | SG Head

Lesvos, the island of poetry and art. This unique traditional destination of Greece is a special experience for tourists.

Fifteen (15) of the most important reasons to visit Lesvos are:

1) The UNESCO Global Geopark, especially the Petrified Forest and the Museum of Natural History in Sigri village.

Photo by: www.shinygreece.com | Panagiotis Papadellis

2) One of the most beautiful villages of Greece, Molyvos, and especially the 14th Century A.D. preserved castle.

3) The special village Petra with the characteristic big hill shaped stone in the center of the village with the 1747 A.D. old church of Virgin Mary (Mermaid Madonna) with the 114 stairs to reach it, the 130 years old mulberry tree under which the famous writer Stratis Myrivilis wrote the “Mermaid Madonna” book in 1959, the traditional tasteful products of the Women Cooperative of Petra and the small harbor of Skala Sykamnias.

4) The Museum of the famous painter Theofilos and the Museum – Library of the Lesbian critic Teriade (Eleftheriadis) in the village Varia, close to Mytilini city.

5) The Mytilene Castle, one of the largest and best-preserved castles of the Mediterranean basin.

6) The neighbourhood of Chryssomallousa in Mytilini city, with the imposing mansions of 1850 – 1930 a.D.

7) The small Catholic Church of Mytilini which hosts the relics of Saint Valentino priest, the world-known as the protector of lovers, and the Orthodox Church of Agios Therapon with the bulbous dome.

8) The unique village Eressos, the birthplace (7th ce. b.D.) of Sappho, the famous Muse and the most erotic poet of the world, where the International Eressos Women’s Festival takes place every year.

Photo by: www.shinygreece.com | George P. Papadellis

There are more reasons to visit Lesvos, such as:

9) The old monasteries of the island with the unique architecture, especially the miraculous Saint Raphael (near Thermi village) and Taxiarches (near Mandamados village).

10) The Vatera beach, one of the longest and most beautiful beaches in Greece, near Polichnitos village.

11) The Wetland of Kalloni Gulf with the rare species of birds for birdwatching.

12) The unique tastes of the island, such as ouzo (aperitif), sardella Kallonis (sardine) and ladotiri Mytilinis (cheese).

13) The unique traditional village Agiasos with the famous church of Virgin Mary (Evagelistria).

14) Anemotia village, on the old caldera of the island.

Photo by: www.shinygreece.com | Panagiotis Papadellis

15) Tasteful traditional local cuisine: Giouzlemedes (fried cheese-pies), Chtapodokeftedes (octopus meatballs), Kremmydolmadakia (onion dolmas), Kolokythokeftedes (pumpkin meatballs), Kalamarakia gemista (stuffed squids), Arnaki gemisto (stuffed lamb), Soutzoukakia (stewed meatballs), Kremmydopita (onion pie), Koukia (boiled broad beans), Kolokythokorfades (stuffed pumpkin flowers).

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