Lesvos

Welcome to the Island of Lesvos

Lesvos is located in the Aegean sea, in the eastern part of Greece. A large island, off the tourist trail, it is a great place to visit for a relaxing vacation.

The lush, green island of Lesvos is like no other. It is the third largest in  the Aegean Archipelago behind Crete and Evia. Virtually unaffected by the mass tourism that has turned other islands into amusement parks, Lesvos is the perfect place to visit for people who want to experience the real Greece. For the Greek Island traveler who is worried about not having enough to do, Lesvos is the perfect destination.

Award-winning beaches, traditional villages, more varieties of birds and wildflowers then anywhere in Europe, pine forests, medieval castles, scenic  harbors with cafes and inexpensive seafood restaurants, abundant fish, museums, hotels of every class and category, and some of the warmest, friendliest people in all of Greece,Lesvos has been a favorite location for artists, writers and romantics. It's natural attractions include the unique Hot Springs, health  inducing spas that are dotted around the island. Many have been in use for  thousands of years for rheumatism, arthritis, gynaecological and dermatological  ailments,as well as kidney and gallstones, neurological ailments, bronchitis  and sciatica. The island's wonderful landscapes can be seen by donkey or horseback, cycling, jeep, or on foot. If you prefer to be on water there are yachts for charter. The numerous festivals held throughout the island of  Lesvos are enjoyed and celebrated in their traditional ways, with the locals displaying their flair for dancing, drinking and eating, hours on end, days on end.

The island is reachable by ferry or airplane from Athens ( and Salonica in the summertime), and numerous charter flights from many European cities.

The cost of a holiday in Lesvos is much less than the cost of the more popular Greek islands. It's a large island with lots to see. So large that you could fit any of the Cyclades islands except Naxos, in the Bay of Kaloni. At week's stay here is recommended. Two is better and even after a month you will still not have seen it all.



   

The natural beauty of Lesvos

The land of Lesvos (1698 sq. km) is the result of volcanic eruptions; hence its mountainous and stony morphology with an abundance of mineral water springs. The landscape presents sharp contrasts to the eye and keeps every visitor stimulated and enchanted.

The natural simplicity of the coastlines, the clarity of the sea, the mountainous magnificence of mountain Lepetymnos in the North, the abundantly wooded slopes of Agiasos built at the base of mountain Olympus in the South, and the moon like appearance of the geologically disturbed south western area around Sigri, with the unique Petrified Forest, all contribute to the attractiveness of the island.

Vast olive groves ( 11 million olive trees ) , dense pine forests, sandy beaches, churches and monasteries, castles, ancient sites, traditional houses, cobbled streets, friendly and welcoming natives, local traditions and customs paint a picture which is unforgettable for every visitor, every time.
Lesvos is in the path of migratory birds and you can find here a report on a trip to watch birds on the island.

The Cultural Lesvos

The island is also recognized as a cultural excellence centre from ancient to modern times. It is the home of Sappho the poetess, Arion the sitar player, Terpandros the musician of the ancient times, and home to Odysseus Elytis the poet, Stratis Myrivilis the author, Theofilos the naïve painter and many more people of the arts of the modern times. It continues the long tradition of producing excellence in the arts and literature to this day.

Sapho, The Muse of Lesvos

Sappho (circa 630 B.C.) was one of the great Greek lyrists and few known female poets of the ancient world. She was an aristocrat who married a prosperous merchant and had a daughter named Cleis. She was wealthy enough to live the life she chose and study the arts at the island of Lesvos.

In the 7th Century B.C. Lesvos was a cultural centre. Although Sappho spend most of her time on the island, she also travelled widely throughout Greece. Because of her political activities she was once exiled to Sicily. The residents of Syracuse were so honoured by her visit; they erected a statute to her.

Sappho was called a lyrist because she wrote her poems to be performed with the accompaniment of a lyre. She composed her own music and refined the prevailing lyric meter to a point that it is now called the Sapphic meter. Her style was sensual and melodic; mostly songs of love, yearning and reflection. She was very much honoured in ancient times. While she still lived coins of Lesvos were minted with her image. Plato elevated her from the status of great lyric poet to the status of the tenth muse. Upon hearing one of her songs, Solon, an Athenian ruler, lawyer and a poet, asked that he be taught the song “Because I want to learn it and die”. Unfortunately only one of Sappho’s poems is available in its entirety – all of the rest exist as fragments of her original work.

From ancient times to today, Sappho has remained an important literary and cultural figure. Her works continued to be studied and translated. She inspires new poets constantly and speculation on her life remains popular in the form of fictionalised tales and ardent research. For a woman who has been dead for over two thousand years, this is quite an achievement.