The prehistoric settlement of Thermi was founded on a low hill between two streams, around 3000 BC and flourished during the third millennium BC. It was identified and excavated by Winifred Lamb from 1929 to 1933 and there were further excavations 2004‐2008.
The site is located on the east coast, 12 Km away from the Turkish coast. This position made the port (which has been lost to the sea) the most important on the island at that time . The plain of Thermi is one of the most fertile of the island. The settlement is divided into 5 building phases and it is one of the best researched settlements in the NE Aegean.
There is also a seminar room where you can view a film about the site and see some nice models of what the village might have looked like.
(source: molyvos.eu by Robin Sanders, a UK photographer lining on the island)
The archaiological site of Messa, is a sanctuary located in the homonymous valley, near ancient Pyrra and ancient Arizona. Its name is due to its location in the middle of the island. The first reference to the sanctuary was made by the French traveler M. Boutan while the German R. Koldewey conducted the first excavations in 1885 and 1886.
The Sanctuary according to the prevailing view was dedicated to the Lesbian Trinity (Jupiter, Hera and Dionysus).
(source: lesvos.com)
Approximately 600 meters to the west of the village of Moria rise up the impressive arches of the great aquaduct built by the Romans. It is the remains of a fantastic technical achievement of the first 3 centuries AD, which began in the region of Agiassos and passed through the villages of Lambou Mylou and Larsos, supplying Mytilini with water.
(source: lesvos.com)
The castle of Molyvos (Mithymna) that crowns the heights of the town is from Byzantine times and was later repaired by Francesco Gattelusi. In terms of majesty and size it is the second most impressive on the island. During the summer months it is used for concerts and cultural events.
(source: lesvos.com)
The castle of Mytilini is located on the north side of Mytilini and overlooks the city is one of the largest in the eastern Mediteranean. It's foundations were laid during the time of Justinian on the ruins of an even older fortification which can still be seen in sections of the walls. It has been used and rebuilt by the Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and the Turks and is now used in the summer for cultural events for example a concert by the Scorpians, or local opera singer Joanna Karvelas. There is a Roman or Byzantine reservoir with a 4,000 cubic meter capacity. There are also underground tunnels which cover a large area beneath the castle and the hill.
(source: lesvos.com)
The castle of Sigri was built in 1757 by the Turks during their occupation of the island. It sits on a small peninsula above the harbor with a view of the beach and the town. There is no entrance fee and visitors are free to wander around and explore. There are great tavernas and an excellent beach nearby so you can make a day of it. Also nearby is the Petrified forest.
(source: lesvos.com)
The prehistoric city of Thermi (ca 3000 BC), the ancient Greek temple of Messa, the aqueduct and the mosaics of the roman period, the byzantine churches, the castles of the medieval period, the mosques of the Ottoman time, the industrial heritage of the past century including olive press and olive oil processing installations, the traditional architectural style of the buildings and the small villages form a unique colorful cultural atmosphere offering an unforgettable experience to the visitors.
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Mytilene (Μυτιλήνη in greek, also known as Mytilini) is the capital of the island of Lesvos. It is the third bigger island of the Aegean Sea.
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The island has a long cultural tradition from the ages of the ancient Greek music composer Terpandros, the poets Sappho and Alkaeos, the one of Greece's Seven Sages Pittacos and the philosopher Theophrastos up to the contemporary naive painter Theofilos and the 1997 Nobel prize winner poet Odisseas Elytis.
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Today the island is famous for the excellent olive oil produced from the 11.000.000 olive trees. Ouzo is another characteristic product of the island which affects the local food culture and tradition.
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On Lesvos island in parallel to the life culture there are many museums and archaeological sites of high interest like:
