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Five
large islands scattered about the north-eastern Aegean are Europe's sea
border with the East. Five large islands and dozens of smaller ones, precious
stones woven into the deep blue silk of the Aegean, are a valuable inheritance
with a long and rich history.
Built on the ruins of the ancient city of the same name, Myrina the
capital of Lemnos Island with the delightful
houses of the seacaptains with their wooden balconies, with pebbled streets,
and kind people. Picturesque villages dot the island. Nea Koutali is an
enchanting pine-forested area with wonderful water. Moudros, the island's
second major town has pretty houses and nice beaches. Poliohni has ruins
dating from neolithic times and a few remnants from a bronze age settlement.
Between Lemnos, Lesvos, and Skyros, is a virgin island with only one village
and great beaches Aghios Efstratios.
The third largest Greek island is Lesvos.
Olive groves that go on forever, thick pine forests, sandy beaches, monasteries,
pretty traditional houses and old mansions. The truly ancient history of
the island is visible everywhere on Lesvos. Starting out from the capital Mytilene which
is built on top of the ruins of the old town, one begins to get acquainted
with the unending beauties of the island. North-east of town is the Roman
aqueduct, further north Pyrgi Thermis with traditional old houses, and
the Loutra Thermon. Scenic seaside villages with wonderful beaches, like
Plomari, known for its "ouzo",
are everywhere. The mountain village of Agiassos on the foothills of Mt.
Olympus, has charming houses and little streets. Sandy beaches at Vatera,
Kalloni, Mithymna, and famous Molyvos, a picturesque place with special
colour, a long tradition in folk art, intense night-life in the summer,
it is a meeting point for artists. A Byzantine castle looks down on the
village and the lacy beaches of Eftalous to the north and Petra to the
south. The sights continue to be impressive, from the fossil forest at
Sigri to the antiquities at Eressos.
South of Lesvos lies Chios, one of the
most beautiful islands of the Aegean, where the green of the trees and the
aquamarine of the sea are within kissing distance. Here the verdant valleys
embrace the pretty towns redolent with mastic from the countless chewing-gum
trees (actually, mastic-trees). The millenia-old history of the island disappears
into the recesses of mythology.
Multi-coloured houses, fishing boats, and nets spread out in the old harbour.
Modern houses and busy shops in the new harbour, opposite the castle. Large old
stone houses decorated the plain with the lush gardens and orange groves. Charming
little fishing villages such as Vrontados, Pantoukios and Lagadas. Good beaches
at Kardamila. Alpine scenery with rare beauty at Volissos, such as the Venetian
fort and the historic monastery of Aghios Georgios. Enchanting scenery just before
Nea Moni. Villages unchanged since the middle ages at Anavatos and Mesta. Pottery
workshops at Armolia and painting compositions at Pyrgi.
Pretty pebble beaches and sandy shores and then by caique to Psara,
the small but historic island.
A rocky island with fine sandy beaches and only one village, with a strong Cycladic
flavour, Inousses, lies to the east of Chios.
Samos, the eastrnmost island
of the Aegean, is within swimming distance of Asia Minor. Images
of the island are framed by bunches of Samian grapes, vine leaves
and vineyards. The capital Samos, is built like an amphitheatre
at the end of a deep bay, next to the harbour of Vathy. Plane
trees, springs, and neoclassical buildings coexist harmoniously
with modern elements at Karlovassi. Gorgeous beaches at Kokkari,
pebbled ones at Potami, busy ones at Tsamadou and the best one
on the island at Hryssi. Fishing villages with sandy beaches,
mountain villages with picturesque alleyways and houses in the
charming local style. There are many monasteries on Samos, such
as Megali Panaghia, Aghia Zoni, Vronta, Panaghia Spiliani, Zoodohou
Pighi. Finally, to the south is the Pythagorio or Tigani with
the ruins of the ancient acropolis and Eupalinos' tunnel, and
further south still is the Heraion, dedicated to the worship
of Hera.
South-west of Samos is Ikaria which boasts
an incredible range of scenery. Steep and naked rocks to the south, a calm and
serene landscape to the north, where one encounters fabulous beaches. The island's
capital Aghios Kirykos, is decorated with several old two-storey captains-houses.
The radioactive springs at Therma have been used as a spa since antiquity. At
Karavostamo, on the north coast, the white washed houses peek through the vegetation
reaching almost to the water's edge. The small, pretty harbour of Evdilos is
next to some fine beaches with charming tavernas on them. A dense pine forest
is host to several streams that flow onto a spectacular beach at Armenistis.
Many villages scattered amid the verdant countryside. To the north Fanari is
of special archaeological interest in a place of great natural beauty.
An island of the northern Aegean Samothrace (Samothraki)
is located opposite the gulf of Saros. It is mostly mountainous; it is covered
by Mt. Saros whose peak Fengari (moon) reaches an altitude of 1,600 metres, which
is the highest peak on any island, Crete and Euboea apart.
Samothrace has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and fairly cool summers.
The smooth coastline forms four capes: Akrotiri, Malathria or Megalo Akrotiri,
Angistro, and Kipo.
Samothrace was especially important in antiquity because of the Cabeirian mysteries
held in the Sanctuary of the Great Gods. Today, near Paleopoli where the famous
Victory of Samothrace (Louvre Museum) was found, one can see the ruins of the
Sanctuary, the Tholos of Arsinoe, the Arcade, the Temenos, the palace, the theatre,
etc.
Samothraki or Hora is the capital of the island. It is a charming village in
the traditional style built in the island's interior.
Small picturesque villages, abundant physical beauty, forests coupled with Mediterranean
vegetation and running water, and the virgin shores, compose a specially impressive
landscape that is the "refuge" of many nature lovers. |
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