Lesvos Safari Tours

The ancient Theatre of Mytilene

The first architectural phase of the theatre is dated to the early Hellenistic period, as is suggested by the figurines and architectural parts which were found either in situ or as spolia used in the masonry of the castle. The theatre was remodelled in the late Roman period. The horseshoe-shaped cave would have a capacity of about 10.000 people. Plutarch, in the life of Pompeius (Pompeius, 42) informs us that the Roman general admired the theatre of Mytilene and reproduced its plan in the theatre that he built in Rome in 55 B.C. The first excavations on the site were carried out in 1928 by D. Evangelides, who resumed the investigation in 1958, especially in the area of the orchestra and the scene. The site was cleared and drawn in 1967.

Valide Tzami (Mosque) at Mytilene

Is situated at the old Turkish quarter of the city. The inscription plate mentions that the mosque was built in 1615 and thus it constitutes one of the oldest Islamic temples in Mytilene. It is built with stones and has one storey. A marble staircase (with three steps) led to the front yard that was paved with stones. In the middle of the front yard there was a multilateral fountain made of white marble and decorated with engraved arabesques. In the interior, the roof bore colourful decoration, which -after the Turks withdrawal - was covered with brown colour.

The Roman aqueduct at Moria

It was probably constructed at the end of the 2nd or the beginning of the 3rd century A.D. Because of its typical classicistic elements it was considered to have been built by Hadrian. It was used to transport water from the copious springs of mount Olympos to the ancient city of Mytilene, at a distance of ca.26 km. It supplied the city with large quantities of water and its carrying capacity has been estimated at 127.000 cubic meters a day. Part of the row of arches of the Roman aqueduct of Mytilene is visible at the site called Moria. The preserved section is 170 m. long and includes seventeen arches. Every opening is subdivided into three arches supported by a pillar and each pillar is crowned by a capital bearing a cymatium and abacus.

Yeni Tzami (Mosque) at Mytilini

Yeni Tzami (Mosque) is located in the middle of an area that in the past constituted the Turkish market, in Mytilene. It was built by Naziri Moustafa Aga Koulaxizi in the third decade of the 19th century and constitutes the biggest as well as the most recent Islamic temple of the city. Its architectural type is based on that of an aisle less cruciform, with an upper floor in the north side. In its interior, parts of an initially rich mural decoration can still be seen. In summers the mosque functions as an exhibition place for the work of mainly Lesbians artists.

Tsarsi Hamam (Turkish bath) at Mytilene

The Tsarsi Hamam (in Turkish tsarsi means market) is situated in the historical centre of Mytilene and constitutes part of the neighbouring Yeni Tzami complex. In the Turkish urban architecture, which continues the Byzantine urban habits, baths were the place used for the reception of strangers in town and constituted part of both the religious and social life of Islam. The building dates in the late Turkish rule. It has a linear order of its rooms, a feature that constitutes part of the general typology of Turkish baths, where the visitor is gradually led from the cold to the hot room. This typology is already known from ancient Greek and Roman baths.

The Fortress of Mytilene

The fortress of Mytilene was the biggest as well as one of the strongest castles in the East Mediterranean. Its initial nucleus, which was formed during Byzantine years, is thought to have been built on the grounds of the ancient Acropolis. The first significant alterations to the castle took place during the period of Lesbos dominion of Gateluzzi and more specifically of the ruler Francisco Gateluzzo in the year 1373. A number of other alterations and additions followed, the most important being that of the Ottomans in 1677, to whom we attribute the lower northern part of the fortification. After the liberation from the Turks, in 1912, the fort was used as military barracks.

The sanctuary of Klopedi

It is a characteristic example of Lesbian Archaic architecture. It lies on the top of a high plateau to the west of the modern town of Aghia Paraskevi. The deity to which it was dedicated has not been identified. Excavations have partly uncovered the remains of two archaic temples but later occupation has not been attested, as the site has not been systematically excavated. The excavations at Klopedi were begun in 1920 by D. Evangelides and continued in 1971. During these two campaigns, the ruins of two temples were partly uncovered but the monuments were again buried in order to be better preserved.

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 early Christian basilica of Halinardhou

It lies just over 5km east of Agia Paraskevi on a dirt road, nearly a dozen columns of this three – aisled basilica remain standing, some with their capitals. A peaceful spot amidst a wilderness of pines and olives, which prompts speculation as to why it was build just here, as it was clearly never the katholikon of a monastery. Naturally the masonry is of a piece with the surrounding basalt boulders on the adjacent, pine – tufted ridge.

The temple of Aphrodite at Mesa

Aphrodite was one of the favourite Goddess so the temple was build in the center of the island, also it used to be the spot where all major cities – countries of Lesvos was gathering to resolve political and other issues. worship with some remains of an Ionic temple pavilion. Situated near the salt plains of Kaloni