04.09.2013
Лесбос приобрел свою мировую славу благодаряthe fact that it was born the legendary ancient Greek poet Sapfo (about 630 years before AD), in the poetry of which passionate love for characters sounded both sexes.
The island will not please the imagination of the first arrivals tourists a lot of magnificent and scenic landscapes. but over time, rocky shores with lots of pine and olive groves, certainly conquer the heart of anyone.
Locals called the island of Lesbos more complex name mytilene. This name is its central city and port. By the way, Mitilini is the homeland of many famous Greek poets as well and the famous pupil of Aristotle – the philosopher Theophrastus.
Modern buildings and unique buildings of the XIX century, charming parks and churches of the Byzantine period create original appearance of the city, which attracts tourists from all over of our planet.
Mytilini City is located in the shape of an amphitheater. among two hills. One of the peaks is crowned by the largest castle in all over the Mediterranean – Genoese castle.
The island will surprise travelers with an abundance of diverse excursion programs. For example, tourists rarely refuse to hike to mineral springs whose springs located at the crater of a volcano, hidden under the water. The most A popular route is definitely the village in which Sapfo was born. Here you can see parts perfectly preserved to our time the Roman aqueduct, which was built over three thousand years ago.
Sigri district of the island of Lesbos hides unusual and rather rare natural history reserve. Here is a petrified forest that stood about 20 million years. He has a no less unique story. Once the island was a solid forest – the real thickets. Its history has changed the most powerful volcanic eruption. Due to large earthquake as well as erosion of volcanic rock petrified forest of lava rose from the water again, exposing perfectly preserved trunks of old huge trees that have not lost own natural form with characteristic small streaks.
In addition to forests, tourists will be pleased with more crowded, warmed by the sun. small towns. The island has a considerable number of excellent beaches on all tastes are sandy and pebbly, popular and uncrowded. Their golden sand and coastal rich vegetation with literally the intoxicating scent becomes the finest complement flawlessly clean sea. All this creates an exceptional atmosphere of relaxation and appeasement for all guests of the island.
Since ancient times, the island has managed not to lose the beautiful natural heritage: pine forests, unique Mediterranean groves and curative sources. So even during the Roman rule there was already a resort. And in 1462 the Turkish invaders called his “Aegean garden”. However, many local residents during the Turkish rule turned into slavery or expelled to Constantinople. Numerous earthquakes contributed to the destruction of monuments of the era of the Genoese and Byzantines. Lesbos Island became owned again. Greece in 1912
Today Lesbos, however, seems to be confused given him fame. And not only thanks to legends that have flown around the world. about sappho. Because local islanders raised the rest of the Greeks dignify it by the name of the capital Mitilini – the city, inevitably modified urbanization 60s. The beauty of the island Lesbos – in semi-desert beaches, ancient villages with tiled roofs and overhanging second floors.
If you decide to rent a car and explore the island yourself, be sure to stop on the east bank, so that through the evening haze look at the unhurried glow of the lights and see on the Turkish shore the Troy about which Homer wrote.
Map of Lesbos
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Photo: discovergreece.com, eikones.ws
