Eressos Eresos Lesvos island Greece

Eressos before becoming an appreciated resort for international tourism, Eresos went through centuries of cultural and economical flourishment. The town was built between the 11th and the 9th century BC, probably by Achaian emigrants or Aeolian Seamen on the site known today as Skala Eressos. The town developed through the centuries to become a very important commercial center with its products reaching as far as Egypt. In the Antiquity Eresos prospered and it is the birthplace of the lyrical poetess Sappho (circa 628-568 BC). Thanks to her dynamism and her exceptional creativity and talent, she founded a school in Mytilini where young girls from all over Mediterranean were taught music, singing and dancing. In her time she was called the Tenth Muse. Eresos is also the birthplace of Theophrastus (circa 372-277 BC), pupil of Plato and successor of his teacher Aristotle in the management of the well-known Peripatetic School. Theophrastus is nowadays considered as the father of Botany. The writer and philosopher Phanias was also born in Eresos (4th century BC). He was a scholar of Aristotle and wrote several essays, among which the famous "About the Poets ". The present Vigla Hill is the Acropolis of the ancient Eressos and it is a remarkable historical site. A part of a prehellenic polygonal wall has been preserved as well as prehellenic gates and a roman cistern next to the remains of the castle of Eressos : two turrets stand on the top of the hill, one Turkish and one Genovese, protecting the inhabitants from unexpected invaders..

The ancient Eresos was one of the most famous city-kingdoms on the island of Lesbos. The town had a stadium, a theatre, a market place, a prytanium as well as many temples dedicated to different gods: Dionysius-Bacchus, Apollo, and Neptune-Poseidon. A huge temple to Pallas-Athena is believed to be situated at the present site of Minavra beyond the port, next to the actual chapel of Panagiouda. Some early excavations revealed two paleo Christian churches. The basilica of Saint Andreas dates back to the 5th century and is situated just behind the present orthodox church of Skala Eresos. Although damaged by the years, the Byzantine mosaic is still very impressive and can be observed from the street. Next to the basilica is the Shrine of Saint Andreas, consisting of a sarcophagus with remainders of the Saint, creator of the Great Rule and Patron Saint of Skala Eressos (740) The second paleo Christian monument of Eresos, the church of Afendelli stands at the west end of the beach in a wild undeveloped area. Through the centuries, Eressos suffered political instability before experiencing prosperity during the Roman years. In 1462 Lesbos fell into the hands of the Turks and in the 17th century the village transferred 4 km inland to avoid the multiple attacks from the pirates, and created the village of Eressos, leaving Skala to the fishermen. In 1821 during the Turkish domination, Dimitris Papanikolis managed to set fire to the pride of the Turkish navy, a huge war boat known as Intrepid or The ship that does not take orders, which sank at night in front of Skala Eresos. The liberation came in 1912 when Lesbos became back a part of the Hellenic Republic. The new Skala Eresos was founded in 1920 and still has many of the original houses mainly on Vigla Hill..

On the way to Sigri, be sure to visit the 12th century monastery Moni Ypsilou built on a 1676 ft with a museum displaying religious treasures.which sits at the top of Mount Ordimnos, where there once was a dormant volcano during the quaternary period. From up there, if the weather is good, you can see the Sigri area and if there is good visibility even Limnos, Tenedos and Mount Athos in Halkidiki can be sighted..

The Greek State recognizing the exceptional palaeontological and geological value of the Petrified Forest of Lesbos has considered it as a unique natural monument. In order to protect the Petrified Forest and ensure its proper management five terrestrial and marine areas, with fossil accumulations as well as all the isolated fossils within the area of 37.50 accrue, were declared as Protected Natural Monument with a special Presidential Degree (No 443 /1985). The need for further research and protection of the fossils led to the establishment of the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest. The Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest was established in 1994 to study, research, promote, preserve and conserve the unique Petrified Forest of Lesvos, a designated Protected Natural Monument.

Eressos Eresos Lesvos island Greece