The municipality of Eresos – Andissa comprises five other communities: Messotopos, Vatoussa, Hydira, Sigri and Pterounda. It covers the most mountainous region of west Lesvos, where bare rocky hillocks dominate, in an almost volcanic landscape originating from the formidable volcano explosion that shattered the island and the whole Aegean in the prehistoric times. Skala Eressos (Eresos) is one of the most appreciated resorts for international tourism and the favorite spot of families, young people as well as gay women that create the beautiful diversity of Eressos (Eresos) in Lesvos Island. With its dramatically beautiful beach that stretches for 3 km, its dark volcanic sand and its crystal-clear waters, Skala Eressos (Eresos) was awarded Blue Flag by the European Council on Environment for the clean beach and the unpolluted waters. It is known to be the best beach of Lesvos island and one of the best in Greece. At this idyllic beauty history and legend are combined, Sapfo, the greatest lyric poet in history of world poetry, was born here around 630 B.C., Aristotle walked in this village talked about philosophy with the Eressian disciple and successor at the Lyceum, Theophrastus, who sis considered the founder of the research of the plants, rocks and ecology.
Skala Eresos offers comfortable accommodations by means of small hotels, pensions and apartments which build in with the traditional atmosphere of the village. Some will choose to swim and suntan in front of the shadowy walk side bordered with restaurants, taverns and coffee shops or goes further at the undeveloped wasted, close to the new palm-tree forest. Fans of bird watching gather in Lesvos Eresos to observe birds on spring and autumn migration.
Add to this wonderful scenery, lovely flowers in spring, and resident birds including Crupper’s Nuthatch and Cinereous Bunting in their only European breeding location, and you can see why the island is proving so popular! The river of Skala Eressos (Eresos) is one of the best spots and it is also full with tortoises and frogs that children love to feed all summer long..
During the summer, Skala Eressos (Eresos) is alive with cultural activities and concerts of modern or traditional music. Apart from the excursions and different trips we organize in the area, the whole valley of Skala Eresos offers many hiking trails by dry riverbeds and over hills, an opportunity to discover a wild nature as well as amazing landscapes.The Early Christian basilica of St. Andrew (Agios Andreas) in Eresos.
Three-aisled basilica, now completely ruined. The floors of the narthex and the middle aisle are covered with interesting mosaics, decorated with animal figures, floral motives and geometric patterns. A square space at the south end of the narthex probably gave access to the gallery through a staircase. Several graves have been uncovered in the eastern part of the basilica, while a large number of architectural members lie in the south aisle, which is paved with clay plaques. The apse of an earlier building has come to light to the SW of the three-sided apse of the basilica. The basilica was discovered by monks of the Monastery of Pithario, in the years 1884 and 1885. An inscription on the frame of the west part of the mosaic floor in the middle aisle, mentions Bishop John, who is identified as the representative of the Lesbians in the Third Ecumenical Synod of Ephesus, in 431 A.D. This inscription dates the basilica to the first half of the 5th century.
The monastery of Pammegiston Taxiarxon in Eresos is known rather as Moni Pithariou. There are two scenarios about this establishment. The fist one considers it as Byzantine monastery reconstituted during the Ottoman domination, while the second one determines its date around the 16th century. According to historical records from 19th century and on, the monastery presented a decline, having as a result in 1931 to be incorporated to the neighbourly monastery of Ypsilos. During the last years, with his reverence Metropolitan Iakovos the 3rd of Mytilene as torchbearer, an effort of renovation and restoration of the monastery is made.
