Many of our compatriots love Greece for the warm beaches of the Mediterranean Sea and the hospitality of local residents. Lesbos Island, which will be discussed today, the third largest in Greece. It is located in the waters of the Aegean Sea near Turkey, between Hios and Limnos. The area of the island is 1636 square kilometers, and the population is about 108 thousand people. If you are interested in rest in Greece in the private sector, pay attention to this island, because there are so many secluded places.
Who just did not belong to Lesbos Island in its history: the first settlements were founded by immigrants from Asia Minor about 5000 years ago, in 1100 BC.e. The Ailians settled on the island. At this time, cities appeared on the island, including mitilena, which will be discussed below. The first invaders- the Persians- appeared on the island in the sixth century BC.e., And after another 200 years, Lesbos passed under the influence of Greece and Sparta. In the region of 84 BC.e. The Romans came to these places, they made the island autonomous.
A large number of troubles and misfortunes of the indigenous population suffered during the Turkish expansion from 1462 to 1774. The final liberation for the Greeks inhabited Lesbos came only in 1912. Most of the flora of the island is pine and oil trees. In some places are not very high mountains. Road and tourist infrastructure are well developed, the production of olive oil, olive and local high -quality cheese has been established. The pride of Lesbos island- ceramic products, wood carving and needlework fabrics.
Lesbos will be happy to reveal a lot of interesting and beautiful places to tourists: Hera’s bay, reminiscent of a lake, Kaloni bay with many pretty fishing harbors and gold sandy beaches, Milita is the largest tourist center, surrounded by a nature almost untouched by a person, Agiasos is a village on the slope of the mountain Elimp at an altitude of 430 meters above sea level.
If you are lucky, you can visit one of the many national holidays. These traditions originate in ancient times… Anyway, everything that can be found on the island of Lesbos reminds of ancient times, when the poets of Sappho and Alkey helped the mitilena, the pearl of the island, remain in history for many centuries. Nowadays, Milenena is a wonderful and colorful city. Surrounded by very old pines, the fortress flaunts on a hill, many colorful boats surprise the guests of the city port, amaze the imagination of the dome of the Church of St. Ferapont. If you get to Lesbos, be sure to visit the Archaeological Museum of Mitlene: the exhibits presented in it have been preserved since ancient times.
In addition to the archaeological guests of the island, the Byzantine and ethnographic museums can visit, gathered in their walls no less valuable relics of Lesbos. Each tourist is simply obliged to take a walk around the Kioski area- ancient buildings, the series of which stretches to the fortress itself, deserve to be seen. And in the north-west of Mitilena are the ruins of the ancient theater, one of the largest in that era.
The petrified forest that the guests of the island can visit- the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since 1985, he has been given the status of a natural memorial. On the territory of 150 square meters there are about 70 trees, distant ancestors of pines and cypresses of our days. They were born about 20 million. years ago: then Lesbos Island was covered with volcanic lava, who, with the help of a favorable climate, turned the local flora of that era into a work of art. Jacked trees reach 10 meters in height and 3 meters in diameter!
A trip to Lesbos will be an unforgettable impression for any European. A small paradise on earth, prosperous under the control of Greece, is waiting for his guests to discover their secrets. Of course, the cheapest tours to Cyprus are more in demand today, it is worth noting that the vouchers to Greece also often appear on sale with a good discount, and everyone can afford a trip to this country.
