Listed 100 (total found 116) sub titles with search on: Sights for wider area of: "NORTH AEGEAN Region GREECE" .
LEMNOS (LIMNOS) (Island) NORTH AEGEAN
LESVOS (Island) NORTH AEGEAN
AGIA PARASKEVI (Small town) LESVOS
The school building of neoclassical architecture of the early 20th
century (1922-30’s) has a rectangular "U" ground-plan shape and shows a perfect
symmetry at its openings. The formation of the school-yard area is also very significant.
The construction of the school building, one of the most attractive
on the island, was financed with revenues of the town’s oil-press which today
has been transformed into a multi-cultural center.
This text is cited June 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below.
AGIOS ISIDOROS (Settlement) KARLOVASSI
CHIOS (Town) NORTH AEGEAN
Typical sample of late neoclassical architecture, it is a stone-made,
three-storied building with an elevated basement and expanded third floor. The
interior of the building is also interesting, since it is specially modeled to
house the National Bank of Greece in the ground-floor and the residence of its
Director on the first floor. The building and the surrounding area has been identified
by a 1986 ministerial decree as a work of art.
The building was constructed in 1926. Due to the increasing needs
of the Bank, there have been various interventions from time to time in the interior.
The last approval for works was given in 1994 to the architect G. Papazoglou who
has also conducted the study.
This text is cited Sept 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
KARLOVASSI (Small town) SAMOS
LEMNOS (LIMNOS) (Island) NORTH AEGEAN
The donations of the migrated Limnians and the collections of the poor residents
in the dues of 19th century, created the marvellous school buildings that the
visitor meets in each village of the island. From the older small school of Skandali
up to the outstanding building of High school in the Myrina,
testify the care and the generosity for the children's education in the island,
that removed as it was in the middle of Aegean was not found in the centre of
the government concern. Today many of the schools of the smaller villages are
closed as the number of students has decreased. Marvellous school buildings with
attended big courtyards and stone structured facades does someone meet in all
the villages of the island.
This text is cited March 2004 from the Municipality of Moudros URL below, which contains image.
MYTILINI (Town) LESVOS
The two-storied eclectic style building with the profound neoclassical
elements, was built in 1900 by the City which financed it to house its offices.
The old Municipality building, located at the city’s quay, housed
the city’s services for many years. Today, the first floor hosts the City Council
Assembly and a ceremonial hall, while the ground-floor houses the Library and
halls for some of the City’s cultural activities.
This text is cited June 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below.
It is a building of rectangular profile with a firm symmetry at the
openings on both floors. Great emphasis is given to the main entrance’s decorations
of stone-made neoclassical elements (pediments, columns, lintels, etc.). Particularly
interesting is also the big wooden staircase inside.
The building is located inside the city’s historical center. Its construction
was financed by the local benefactor, Z.Vournazos, but the architect’s name remains
unknown. The construction was completed in 1899 and since the building was inaugurated
it has been serving as a school. Today, it houses the 4th Elementary School and
the 2nd High School of Mytilini.
This text is cited June 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below.
It is an impressive building of neoclassical architecture and a rectangular
"U" ground-plan shape. It is three-story high and consists of the basement (auxiliary
spaces), the ground-floor (classrooms) and the first floor (library and ceremonial
room). The facade is covered by white marble.
It was built between 1888 and 1890 by Argyris Adalis, a local architect,
who had also worked as assistant to the German architects, Hansen and Ziller.
Its construction was financed by the island’s benefactors, M.Mitrelias and Z.Vournazos.
In 1912 it was used by the Greek liberating army.
Today, the building houses the First High-School of Mytilene and attracts
many visitors. It is located in the center of the city and is a touchstone for
the local society.
This text is cited June 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below.
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.
Since the beginning of 2000 restoration works have commenced in the
building.
This text is cited June 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
POLICHNITOS (Small town) MYTILINI
This rectangular building is a characteristic example of the industrial
architecture of Lesbos island
- and most specifically of the area of Polychnitos - as it stands with its stone
slovelikia that decorate every opening on the facets.
Having served for many years as an oil-press, it was recently restored.
After some architectural interventions and adjustments it now operates as a multi-cultural
center that hosts several cultural activities for the Municipality
of Polichnitos and the greater area.
AGIOS STEFANOS (Settlement) MYTILINI
Tel: +30 22530 61214, 61774, 616555
The temple of Saint Stephen (Agios Stephanos) is located in the eastern part of the island, near the village Mantamados. It belongs to the type of aisleless cruciform churches and dates approximately in the late Byzantine years. It is of relatively small dimensions and was totally constructed with carved stones of rose-colored trachyte.
It was initially roofed with a dome, which however had already collapsed
when the traveler Newton visited the church in the mid-19th century. The roof was rebuilt by the local inhabitants, with the placing of wooden beams in the place of the dome and the covering with bricks. In the eastern side, three semicircle apses of the holy altar are discerned, while arches ornament the north and south wall.
The roofed shed with pillars in the west of the church is a more recent
construction, too. Architectural elements of an older church and a Roman inscription
are found incorporated in the walls.
The small settlement of "Aggeioplastes" (Potters), not far
from the church itself, in a location called "Anichtos", with characteristic pottery
workshops and furnaces is of particular interest as well.
PISPILOUDA (Village) CHIOS
Near the road of Spatounda
- Potamia
that interconnects the two mountainous areas of Amani
and Pelineo,
lies Pispilounda. It is a mountainous village by the mountainside of Amani,
giving to Pelineo.
The archaeological findings of the area are exposed in the Archaeological
Museum of Chios town. In about 2km southeast of Pispilounda lies the medieval
settlement of "Ta Markou" (meaning buildings belonging to Markos). There
are traces of a fortress, a tower, and the church of Panagia, which celebrates
in August 15th. This settlement was abandoned after 1928.
Μ. Dimidis, An. Lagou, ed.
This text is cited Sep 2002 from the Municipality of Amani URL below, which contains images.
AGIOS EFSTRATIOS (Island) NORTH AEGEAN
We have got no evidence about the period of time the castle was built
- besides Agios Ephstratios has never been the object of systematic archaeological
research. Except the lower parts of the wall, the reservoir of the water-supply
and a trench in the east are still extant. The natives attributed it to Genoese
and moreover to them they attributed the well which existed near today's school
- Chora's well, as they used to call it. It was about a monumental construction
with pillar all around and with a stone basin for the animals' watering.
This text (extract) is cited May 2003 from the Prefecture
of Lesvos & Lemnos
Provincial Government tourist pamphlet.
ARMOLIA (Village) CHIOS
The Castle is is large and striking. It is built at the hilltop and
maintains an altitude of 220meters; this is one of the highest altitudes evident
in the southern region of Chios.
Its position is such that one can visually inspect the Kalamoti
and Armolia plains as well as the Komi
seashores.
The Apolichnon Castle is one of the most well-preserved castles on
the island whilst its size and numerous interior rooms cannot help but be impressive.
A Genoan, Nicholas Ioustiniani, built the oblong shaped Castle in
1440. The walls were twice as thick and they had small defense towers. Its interior
exhibited water dams and 62 rooms.
As we stroll through the Castle, we can see the remaining ruins of
the rooms, remnants of the defense towers with the loopholes found on the east
and west sides. They also appear within a large area of the well-maintained south
wall that is also relatively high.
There is a defense wall, shorter in height, located outside the interior
wall at a relatively large distance. It was obviously constructed to impede invaders,
since they were afforded easy access from the flat slope and the absence of this
wall.
The north side, on the other hand, is much more difficult to access
due to the rocky cliff. There are large arch-shaped windows on the northeast tower,
which may have been utilized for entry with rope ladders, as was common practice
in those days.
(text: Giannis Makridakis)
This text is cited December 2003 from the Prefecture
of Chios tourist pamphlet (2003).
CHIOS (Town) NORTH AEGEAN
KARDAMYLA (Small town) CHIOS
Medieval fortification design for the purpose of defense. It comprised
the Acropolis of Kardamila. It is traditionally said that the Castle was named
after an old woman from Kardamila who dared to climb the mountain through the
brusque rocks in order to save herself from pirates. Today, two towers have been
saved, which unite the walls. The east tower is semicircular while the west tower
is spherical. The whole compound is situated upon the southern side of the wide,
flat terrain of the mountain. There are cliffs on all the other sides of the mountain;
therefore defensive walls were not necessary.
One version of the tradition states that the west tower was interconnected
to the Koulala well through a tunnel from which water was irrigated to those imprisoned.
The Koulala well was built from the stone in the area and dates back
to the Genoan period (1346-1566). The stone steps are tangent to its walls and
they descent to the foot of the mountain.
There are also bastions in the area, that is, the armed positions
for warriors from the Kardamilian Volunteer Force. These of course were utilized
during the freedom wars of 1912.
Mt. Grias played a significant role during the battle to free the
island. The Kardamilians were able to force the Turks outside their borders. They
took command of the hill by conquering political authorities, thereby reigning
in their victory in the “Battle of Grias”.
The Turks were forced to march to the village of Pityios
since they believed it was the only village on the island that was not within
range of the sea. The warship, “Makedonia”, however, had reached the
Kardamila port and bombed Pityios
with 67 cannon-balls, upon receiving signals from soldiers located on Grias, opposite
Karfoto. This attack was the determining factor in the war's end soon thereafter.
The battle from Makedonia delivered a serious blow to the Turks' morale since
they were forced to surrender on December 22, 1912 s a result of the front-line
attacks made by the Greek army.
Since then, Chios
came under Greek rule.
(text: Giannis Makridakis)
This text is cited December 2003 from the Prefecture
of Chios tourist pamphlet (2003).
KOTZINOS (Port) LEMNOS (LIMNOS)
During 1207-1214 the powerful Venetian family of Navigajiosi built
the fortification - ruins of which are still visible - is the only one in Hellenic
land found not on a natural hill, but on an artificial one.
This text (extract) is cited June 2003 from the Lemnos
Provincial Government tourist pamphlet (1997).
MESTA (Village) CHIOS
The visitor should leave his own transport at the circus outside the village.
The road in the east part of the village makes the Ring-Road of the castle. If
one follows it he will reach the point from which he started. The houses on the
right side of the surrounding wall are modern. The outer wall on its left side
makes the Wall of the castle. The doors and windows of the houses of this side
have been opened rather recently. During the Genoan and Turkish occupations the
entrances of those houses that formed the wall used to be only at the inner part
of the castle. The loopholes were the only openings on the wall and it is them
which have been turned into windows later on. The two openings to the inner part
of the village have been constructed more recently for the residents' facility.
The surrounding wall of this side ends to the tower.
This text is cited Febr 2004 from the Promoting Tourism Prefectural Committee of Chios URL below, which contains images.
The Gateway of the castle is named by the natives as "door of
the captain", that means the door of the governor (it derives from the Italian
word "capitano"). The monoliths of which it consists are remarkable as well as
the iron door that remains in an excellent condition. The door during the Genoan
occupation was opened in the morning at sunrise and closed in at sunset. That
did not happen only when there was a danger of a raid but on a daily basis. It
is because the village was the place of the natives' dwelling but at the same
time it used to exist as a camp for the conquerors. This gate was the only one
on the castle so that the conquerors could easily check the entry of the products,
especially of mastic. All that was due to defence and the facilitation of the
conquerors, since it was according to the products that taxes were imposed.
The house over and next to the door gate must have been the governor's-captain's
residence (that is why it has been named after him). The small window through
which the guards used to observe the residents' entry-exit is noticed at the inner
part of the gate. On the way into the castle two of the most ancient churches
of the village are located. The first one is that of Aghios Georgios and the second
one is that of Aghia Paraskevi, the latter of which is more significant.
This text is cited Febr 2004 from the Chios Prefecture Tourism Committee URL below, which contains images.
MITHYMNA (Small town) LESVOS
Tel: +30 22530 71803
The medieval fortress of Molyvos
is situated on the top of a rocky hill,
in the place of the acropolis of ancient Mithymna.
Built with reddish and brown trachyte, it has the shape of a disporpotioned trapezium with sides of about 70m.
and it is preserved in a relatively good condition.
The exact date of its founding is not known. It was probably built after the
mid-13th century and it obviously belongs to the series of the numerous forts that were
constructed in that period by the Lesbians, in order to render the defense both against the
Turks and the Franks possible. In 1373 it was restored by Francisco Gateluzzo A´.
Additions took place during the period of the Turkish occupation (1462-1912).
Restorations commenced in 1976 and up to 1981 a number of strengthenings,
rebuildings and joint-fillings in parts of the walls took place. In 1993 a crack
in the south bulwark was restored and up to this day consolidation works are carried
out in parts of the fortress that bear signs of damage.
In summers, varied cultural events take place in its inner yard.
It was built in the Byzantine era on the ruins of ancient walls, as a defence against raids made by Franks and Turks. It was completed in 1373 by the Genoese Fransisco Gatelouzo. Later the Ottomans extended the fortifications. It is very well built from red and brown trachyte rock, with strong walls and inlaid slabs carrying inscriptions, coats of arms and other marks. The space is divided in several levels. The main gate is made of heavy wood and is covered with metal slabs. The castle stands on the top of a pine-clad hill and is among the best preserved in the Eastern Mediterranean. Today it is used for cultural events.
This text is cited Jan 2003 from the Prefecture of Lesvos URL below, which contains images.
MYRINA (Small town) LEMNOS (LIMNOS)
Tel: +30 22540 24091
Fax: +30 22540 24091
The castle of Myrina, built on a steep rocky peninsula and connected with the land on the east side, is the largest fortress in the Aegean. The wall is considerably high on the east and south sides, and the towers are quite dense, while on the north and west sides the wall is much lower and the towers very few. On the highest point of the hill stands a half-ruined, multi-roomed defensive building. Also preserved in the enclosed area are an Ottoman mosque , a subterranean vaulted room, and cisterns.
The fortress took its present form in 1207, when the Venetian Philokalos Navigajoso, the Great Duke of Lemnos, fortified Myrina. The castle was reinforced by his successor Leonardo Navigajoso, who managed to keep it under his control for 45 years. During the Turkish occupation the area within the castle was inhabited by the Turks. The walls were severely damaged in 1770, during the siege of Myrina by the Russian fleet.
The monument is open to the public.
The castle of Myrina is known as Paleocastro, which in Greek means
"the old castle" in order to be distinguished from the one in Kotsinas.
It was built in 1186 by the Byzantine emperor Andronikos Komninos,
who used principally Venetian workmen. This is why often the castle is considered
to be Venetian. It was constructed on older sections of walls, probably archaic
ones. These older sections - excellent pieces of Cyclopean walls - are visible
exactly opposite the main entrance, as well as in the interior. Architectural
remains of older buildings were used in many spots as building material. The castle
we see today was constructed during the Ottoman Empire, but if someone looks closer,
he will see the sections built by Andronikos.
One can enter by the side of the harbour, which is the main entrance.
An impressive paved road brings to a terrace, where the ruins of a mosque are
preserved. The second entrance, from the side of Romeikos
Gialos, called Mavrochani, is hardly visible form a distance. Along the length
of the walls, strong bastions, some of them still in a quite good condition, reinforce
it.
The many reconstructions of this castle no doubt indicate its importance
for the defense of the island and generally the control of N.E. Aegean
Sea. During 1207-1214 the Great Duke of Limnos
Filocalo Navigajiosi repaired it, in 1361 Georgios Sinadinos Astras, who was Governor
of the island at that period, in 1470-1477 Francesco Pasqualingo... One of the
last times the castle was used was in 1770 when Russian army under A. Orlof tried
to conquer it in order to liberate the island from the Turks. This was impossible,
so the Russians raised off the siege and left the island without offering any
kind of help to local population. Today the only inhabitants of the castle are
about 200 deers. The Municipality
of Myrina cares their food and water.
This text (extract) is cited June 2003 from the Lemnos
Provincial Government tourist pamphlet (1997).
MYTILINI (Town) LESVOS
It is built on top of a pine-clad hill, near the port. It is one of the largest castles in the Mediterranean. Its construction started in around 483-565 AD and was completed during the years of the rule of the Genoese family of Gatelouzi (1355-1462). Ancient materials were used in the building. In 1373 small towers were built inside the castle by Francisco A’ Gatelouzo. In 1384, an earthquake destroyed it and it had to be reconstructed. Later it was fortified with new ramparts, dikes and cannons. The Turks took control of the Castle in 1462.
The palace of the Gatelouzi still stands, a square stone tower with an inlaid slab. The shapes on the slab show the coat of arms of the Gatelouzi and scenes from Roman duels. On the outer gate of the Castle, there is the coat of arms of the Paleologi. During the years of Ottoman rule, a seminary was built - the building is still preserved today - and other works took place. Under the castle there is a system of tunnels, which offered shelter to women and children during war and a cistern (capacity 4,000 m3). Today the castle is used for cultural events.
This text is cited Jan 2003 from the Prefecture of Lesvos URL below, which contains images.
SIGRI (Port) LESVOS
It is located on a cape in the west part of the island, 93 km from Mytilene. It was built by the Turks in 1757 in order to protect the port of Sigri (back then the most important port for the transportation trade) from piracy. Throughout the Turkish occupation the castle constituted a central site of the country town, around which the settlement developed in the area protected by the fortress.
The structure has small dimensions, an almost square ground-plan and square towers in its four corners. The main gate to the east was closed with double-leaf wooden door cased in iron plates. It is ornamented with a pointed arch - a typical feature of the Arabic architecture - constructed with alternate red and white stones. In the inner part of the fortress, the arched lintels (built with stones or bricks) of the cells that were used for the accommodation of the permanent guard are of similar inspiration.
It is a small stone castle, built sometime in the 1750s or 1760s in the Ottoman style by the vice admiral of the Ottoman fleet Souleiman Pasha for the protection of the port against pirates. The town is square and has towers in its corners. It has two double gates, east and west, which are covered with iron. It has a top-pointed arch - typical of the Arabic architecture - made of alternating red and white stones. Similar are the arches of the rooms used by the guards. It is in very good condition. The visitor can admire Turkish inscription and decorations. The Castle offers a wonderful view of the Aegean Sea.
This text is cited Jan 2003 from the Prefecture of Lesvos URL below, which contains images.
AGIO GALA (Village) CHIOS
In Village Agio Galas you can find Virgin Mary' church, which is called Panagia Agiogalousena by the local people. It is a church built at the entrance of a cave. Its old carved wooden iconostasis is unique. Two more caves, one larger than the other extend the cave of the church. In the third cave there are numerous stalactites. The cave is very big and has many rooms. You can visit it, but you can only penetrate 200 m. inside it.
KAMBOS (Settlement) MARATHOKAMBOS
CHIOS (Island) NORTH AEGEAN
ROMANO (Village) LEMNOS (LIMNOS)
At the entrance of the village there is a fountain with Holy Water.
"Mitarakiko" is located in Kambos of the island of Chios and is one
of its most significant estates. Inside it stand the impressive main building,
the auxiliary building "anestatiko", a second ground-floor building (atelier)
and the old mansion with the pebble-paved yard surrounded by a reservoir, sitting
benches and a well.
"Mitarakiko" was the home of the famous Greek painter G. Mitarakis,
who mainly used the ground-floor building (atelier) for his residence. The main
building and the atelier were built after the 1881 earthquake, after the turn
of the century.
By a ministerial decree of 1992, the buildings, the reservoir, the
well, the fountain the pebble-paved yard and the wall surrounding the estate together
with N. Platis' orchard inside the protection zone, were all identified as historical
and preserved monuments.
Not all the buildings have been restored but nevertheless they are
preserved in a very good condition. The main building is uninhabited but the orchard
is being cultivated.
This text is cited June 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
"Tetteriko" is today the biggest estate in Kambos, and within its
10 acres stand the main building (mansion), two other auxiliary buildings and
a well-worked pebble-paved yard surrounded by a reservoir, a well and a fountain.
The main building, of a highest quality architecture, was destroyed
at the 1881 earthquake and rebuilt right after this, following the patterns of
the neoclassical technique, like the rest of the Kambos buildings.
By a ministerial decree of 1990, the buildings, the reservoir, the
well, the fountain the pebble-paved yard and the wall surrounding the estate together
with Antoine Tetteris’ orchard inside the protection zone, were all identified
as works of art and preserved monuments.
This text is cited June 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
LEMNOS (LIMNOS) (Island) NORTH AEGEAN
Apart from the big mansions of the "Roman Bay" in Myrina, almost in
each village certain impressive buildings distinguish, built in vital places of
the settlements. They are the residences of rich Limnians, that having emigrating
in the dues of 19th century, mainly in Egypt but also in America, turned in their
place, building big mansions that signalled in each village the economic prosperity
of "Egyptians" as they were called. Contrary to the typical Limnian
home, they do not have exterior scales but, monumental character entries, with
stone advocates and well written stone balconies with forousia as well as other
elements of decorative stone sculpture mainly in the facades or in metopes. Apart
from the region of Myrina,
splendid and numerous samples of this type of architecture are especially seen
in Korno, Romano,
Kondia, Portiano
and at Moudros
and separately in almost every village of the island.
This text is cited March 2004 from the Municipality of Moudros URL below, which contains image.
PETRA (Small town) LESVOS
The mansion
of Vareltzidaina is situated in the centre of the village Petra and was built
in the end of the 18th century. It constitutes a characteristic example of that
period's mansions, in which typical features of local architecture are combined
with influences from the East as well as from North Greece.
It is a two-storeyed building, with a solid ground floor built with
stones, which adds a fort-like character to the habitation. The storey is constructed
with "bagdati" and is divided in six rooms parametric to the chamber, which are
decorated with remarkable and typical of the era frescoes.
This extract is cited June 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains images.
The "House of VALERETZIDAINA", at a short distance from the village square, more or less next to the back of the rock of the Panagia, has retained almost entirely its original form.This is a building of the turn of eighteenth-nineteenth century. It belongs to the secular architecture of Lesvos of the period of late Ottoman rule and combines local and Oriental features with neo-Classicism, Byzantine architecture and baroque. It has a number of similarities to the mansion of Georgios Schwarz at Ambelakia in Thessaly, which was built in the late eighteenth century. The traditional settlement of Petra takes on its own individual local colour from the well-preserved neo-Classical mansions of the early twentieth century, with their spacious well-planted court-yards, the carefully crafted railings and the elaborated wrought-iron doors with variety of knockers.
This text is cited Apr 2003 from the Municipality of Petra URL below, which contains images.
AGIOS GEORGIOS SYKOUSSA (Village) CHIOS
MYLI (Village) PYTHAGORIO
Sites of Miloi are:
•The Churches of Zoodohos Pigi, Saint Charalampos and Saint Paraskevi.
•The chapels of The Holly Trinity (it featured 600 old icons, clay chandelier
which are now in the Byzantine Museum of Samos), Saint Nicolas, Saint Trifon,
Saint Nicholas with a plate roof, Saint Taxiarhis with its unique acoustics, Analipsis
and Saint Makarios.
•The public school, which is being transformed into a convention hall.
•The watermills, one at the east of the village and two in Imvrasos.
•Two water tanks.
•The water source of Nerotrouvia.
•The stone bridge on the crossroad to Pagondas
and Pythagorio.
This extact is cited Febr 2004 from the Municipality of Pythagorio URL below, which contains image
MYTILINII (Small town) PYTHAGORIO
•The public school and the Efthimiada School.
•The Paleontological Museum featuring bones of prehistoric animals such as
the Samotherio, rhinoceros, the small horse of Samos etc.
•The old town hall, the statue commemorating all those fallen in battle and
the fountain.
•Two old windmills in Mitilinioi and one on the way to Kokkari.
•The big stone bridge on the way to Samos, built the 1868
•The bridge on the way to Kokkari
Το απόσπασμα παρατίθεται τον Φεβρουάριο 2004 από την ακόλουθη ιστοσελίδα του Δήμου Πυθαγορείου
THYMIANA (Small town) CHIOS
As we leave Megas
Limnionas, the road takes us to Thymiana. Before we enter the town, a road
to the left leads to the old area of Keramio. Here we see the chapel of Agios
Yiannis Stenakouson (St. John). And beside it is the Pirghos (Tower), which is
of architectural interest; it is 200 years old.
Descending the same road, in less than two minutes, we see the Keramio
or tile factory, which was once a thriving industry. Unfortunately, this large
plant has been closed for many years. South of the factory is the beach of Mavri
with its pebbles that resemble lighted coals from afar. This beach is preferred
by those who seek solitude, away from crowds.
This text is cited Febr 2004 from the Chios Prefecture Tourism Committee URL below, which contains images.
MYTILINI (Town) LESVOS
Yeni
Tzami (Mosque) is located in the middle of an area that in the past constituted
the Turkish market and which today is known as Epano Skala, 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 aisleless 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. Since 2000 restoration works have commenced in the
monument which will go on throughout the year.
This text is cited June 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
It is situated at Epano Skala, 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 its interior,
the roof bore colourful decoration, which -after the Turks withdrawal - was covered
with brown colour. The ornamentation of Mihrab (almost 6 m high) was made of plaster.
This text is cited June 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
POTAMIA (Deserted settlement) CHIOS
AGIA PARASKEVI (Small town) LESVOS
The Oil-Press of Agia Paraskevi is a complex of stone-built buildings
that serves as a characteristic sample of exceptional industrial architecture
of the early 20th century (1910) on the island.
Initially, it had been operating as an industrial complex (oil-press
and corn-mill) and later on, until 1967, it ran as a community business.
In 1984, with the support of the Prefecture
of Lesvos, it was restored and transformed into a cultural center. The central
building was turned into a multi-cultural hall with a 400-seats capacity, the
oil storehouses were converted to a Folk-Art Museum while the 11 olives’ storehouses
were transformed into modern guest-houses.
This text is cited June 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below.
The remains of this Early-Christian
basilica can be found along the main road that connects Ag. Paraskevi with
Komi and Pigi.
It is believed that this church constituted the nave of a small monastery and
dates in the second half of the 6th century A.D.
The monument was excavated and restored by A. Orlandos in 1937.
This text is cited June 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below.
AGIA SOFIA (Settlement) LEMNOS (LIMNOS)
The church of Aghia Sophia was built in 1912 on older ruins. It was
ruined during the earthquakes in 1968. It is mentioned that Aghia Sophia often
presented herself to devouted residents of the village to reveal whatever was
going to happen. She wore a white cloth when she had something pleasant to say
and black in the opposite case.
This text (extract) is cited June 2003 from the Lemnos
Provincial Government tourist pamphlet (1997).
CHIOS (Town) NORTH AEGEAN
The remains of the Early Christian basilica are partly covered today
by a later, small church with a low cement roof. In the basilica are preserved
mosaic floors decorated with geometric patterns, and many relief architectural
parts. Inside the church there is a subterranean vaulted crypt where the relics
of Saint Isidore and Saint Myrope (who martyred in Chios during the Early Christian
period) were once kept.
The Early Christian basilica of St. Isidore was built on the remains
of an earlier, Roman structure. According to tradition, the church was built in
the second half of the 7th century, during the reign of Constantine IV Pogonatos.
In the course of its long history, it has undergone several repairs, probably
during the Frankish occupation, in the late Byzantine period and in modern times.
Five architectural phases - the earliest of which dates to the 5th century - have
been distinguished in the building, which was finally ruined by the earthquake
of 1881.
The first excavation research on the site was begun by G. Soteriou
in 1918 and continued by A. Orlandos, in 1928. Excavations were also conducted
in the summer of 1981 and 1982, by the 3rd Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities.
This text is cited June 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
ERESSOS (Port) LESVOS
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 Ecumenic Synod of
Ephesos, in 431 A.D. This
inscription dates the basilica to the first half of the 5th century.
The monument was excavated in 1928 by A. Orlandos and the site was
later remodelled by S. Charitonides, in 1962. The area was cleared and the mosaics
were restored in 1988. In 1989 the mosaics were covered in order to be protected.
The monument is open to the public.
This text is cited June 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains images.
VAVILI (Village) CHIOS
The church belongs to the insular octagonal architectural type, and
in a small degree reproduces the catholicon (main church) of Nea
Moni. It comprises a domed naos, an esonarthex and an exonarthex, today completely
ruined. The domed naos and the esonarthex were built at the end of the 12th century
while the exonarthex is a much later addition, constructed in the 18th century.
The greatest part of the interior is covered with wall paintings dated to the
12th century.
The church was constructed at the end of the 12th century. It was
donated by Eustathios Codratos and his wife, Eirene Doucaina Pagomeni, both belonging
to the imperial court of Constantinople.
The donors decorated the church with wall paintings but five more layers of murals
are preserved inside the building. During the catastrophic earthquake of 1881,
the hemispherical part of the dome collapsed, along with the smaller dome of the
narthex, which was reconstructed shortly thereafter.
The foundations at the eastern part of the church were investigated
by means of trial trenches in 1988 and again in 1995. The roof of the church was
consolidated and repaired in 1968. In 1983 the west wall of the exonarthex was
also consolidated and the roof was partly repaired. In 1981-1984, the later layers
of the wall paintings were detached from the interior walls and the original layer
was completely uncovered.
Some of the detached wall paintings have already been restored and
are on display while the rest are still in the process of restoration. The detached
wall paintings of the second Byzantine layer, depicting twelve prophets (dated
to the end of the 14th century), as well as two marble slabs from the original
iconostasis of the church are exhibited in the building for temporary exhibitions
(Giustiniani Palace)
in the Fortress of Chios. Parts of the murals which were painted by Michael Chomatzas
in 1734 are also on display in the Byzantine
Museum of Chios (Medjitie Mosque).
The monument is closed to the public (it opens only during the summer)
due to restoration work inside the building and at the wall paintings.
Among the countless churches and the small picturesque chapels which
decorate the colonizings of the Municipality of Kampochora, the church of Panagia
Krina holds a special place. Between the colonizings of Vavili, Halkios and Zifias,
surrounded by a beautiful natural landscape with olive groves and pine trees,
the temple resists vigorously to the passing of time and carries its history to
the present day. It is considered to be a golden ring in the chain of the religious
tradition of the island. The initial temple was built in the 12th century, the
outer one was added in the 18th century. As owners of the initial temple are mentioned
Eustathios Kordatos and his wife Irene Doukena Pagomeni, who belonged to the imperial
court of Constantinople.
The shape of the temple is octagonal and looks like the one of Nea
Moni, keeping however its unique brightness, with the irregularly built walls
allowing the sunlight to "revive" the church and its wonderful wallpaintings differently
according to the light of the day. The first hagiographies were made, according
to an inscription, in 1197. But inside the temple there are five more different
kind of hagiographies, each from a different period, that are maintained until
today and give the visitor an image of the development of the art of painting
in Chios. The second decoration, of the Byzantine period, was done at the end
of the 14th century. From this the icons of the twelve prophets have been rescued
and are now exhibited at the . The paintings of the third period, also Byzantine,
can be seen on the wall of the North and the South temple, while the ones of the
post-Byzantine period remain in the Altar.
In the year 1734 the whole temple was almost covered by the hagiographies
of the artist Michael Homatza and after the destructive earthquake of 1881, the
paintings of the Ruler of Everything and the Angels were painted on the dome.
A few years ago, the works for the maintenance of the church started and it is
remarkable how the specialists have managed to separate and restore parts of all
the painting styles. These maintenance works continue until today.
MESTA (Village) CHIOS
The road on the left of Aghia Paraskevi leads to the village square. The villagers
call it "Livadi". The square is a resort after an exhausting day. There
is a particular reason that a daily stroll in the square is considered necessary.
As it is obvious the house of the village and especially those which form the
castle do not provide any open space or gardens since they are built in a way
that unites them all. There are cases when the boundaries of two neighbouring
houses can be hardly distinguished. As such the square is the only open area of
the castle. It is where friends meet, where news are heard, where the villagers
have their morning coffee or their afternoon ouzo. Although it is a calm and quiet
place on a daily basis, it turns to a centre of bacchic festivities the days the
villagers have a feast. Island songs are played by the villagers' musicians and
all ages men and women dance until the morning and drink wine and souma of their
own production.
This text is cited Febr 2004 from the Promoting Tourism Prefectural Committee of Chios URL below, which contains images.
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