The Byzantine Period
When the Roman Empire was divided into Eastern and Western sections, Lesvos became part of the Eastern, that is, the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantines neglected the island. …
The Byzantine Period
When the Roman Empire was divided into Eastern and Western sections, Lesvos became part of the Eastern, that is, the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantines neglected the island. …
The Hegemony of the Gattelusi
In 1354 Lesvos was ceded as a dowry to the Genoese noble, Francesco Gattelusi, son-in-law of the Emperor John Palaeologos and he ruled until 1376. From the beginning he showed an interest in the well-being …
The Turkish Occupation
The Sultan broke his treaty. Instead of letting Gattelusi go free, he throw him into prison, together with his brother, after they had renounced Christianity, they were hanged. The sword of the conqueror divided the history of …
Revolutionary movements
In 1817 Palaeologos Lemonis, member of the Philiki Etaireia (literally, ???friendly society?) appeared on the island. In 1821 Dimitris Papanikolis used his fireships to blow up the Turkish frigate ???Moving Mountain??, in the bay of Eressos. In retaliation …
Modern Times
On November 8, 1912, Mytilene was liberated by the Admiral P. Koundouriotis, who came with a squadron of the Greek fleet led by the battle ship Averof . Koundouriotis called upon the Turks to surrender the town within …
The mythology of Lesvos
According to the myths, the island was first populated by the descendants of Makareos, who was the son of Helios (Sun). This mythical king had five daughters: Mitilini, Mythimna, Issa, Antissa and Arisvi. He had also …
General History
Since the antiquity Lesvos has been known under various other names, as for example: Pelasgia, Issa, Ethiopia and Aegera (swarthy), Mytonis, Imerti (lustful), Lasia (dense) and Makaria. According to indications emanating from mythology and folk culture, the first …
General History #2
During the palaeoChristian period and until the beginning of the early Byzantine times, Lesvos lives in peace and prosperity enjoying the protection and privileges provided by the emperors, when, in the 8th century B.C., the island is …
Museums ??? Monuments ??? Monasteries #2
Near Mytilene, inside the olive grove in Vareia where Stratis Eleftheriades the inspired publisher was born, lies the Teriade Modern Art Museum. Teriade has been the first to publish art books containing famous paintings …
Museums ??? Monuments ??? Monasteries #3
In Moria, a settlement near Mytilene, the visitor can admire the imposing stone arches of the Roman Mains – a great technological achievement of the first After Christ century – which was used to …