Karlovassi town, wefind it in the northwest part of the Samos island in a fertileplain just in front of divided Turkey just a couple of kilometersfrom the Sigacik Bay.

Second in size, it is dividedinto different areas such as the port area (Limani), the Karlovassi old city (Paleo Karlovasou), the middle city (Mesaio Karlovasou),the new city (Neo Karlovasou) and the bay (Ormos Bay) which unifiedin 1950 thus giving life to the current urban center. It presentsitself to the eyes of visitors with extreme elegance thanks to itsnineteenth century neoclassical buildings that demonstrate its wealthin ancient times, imposing churches, the Mathematics Faculty ofthe Aegean University, its refined restaurants, its typicaland traditional taverns , shops, cafés, music bars and clubs whereyou can stay late and watch the sunrise.

Inhabited since the Byzantineera, the ancient city of Georgia was located in the NeoKarlovasi area and in Alonaki, subsequently another was built which wasinhabited from the XII to the XIII BC and then abandoned in the  piratesperiod so that the inhabitants they moved further upto Kotakraika village. In the 19th century, after the fear of searaiders, the Ormos Bay development began, becoming an industrialpark. Humble shops and a few houses until small tanneries werecreated which flourished from 1880 to 1930. The rapid growth of thetanning industry brought much prosperity and also brought significantsocial changes to the city. With the collapse of demand in themid 20th century, warehouses and factories were abandoned or put todifferent uses. The 2020 earthquake dealt the final blow to the areaby destroying and causing extensive damage to buildings.

Until the end of the19th century, Karlovasi did not have a port, which made trade verydifficult. Its position subject to strong north winds made everythingdangerous and difficult. Thus arose the need to create an artificialport. They began in 1871 and were completed in 1903 giving life tothe airport that we can admire today which covers an area of about100,000 square meters and which has enlarged the city with new housesand warehouses.

Old Karlovasi is themost primitive part. It developed from the mid sixteenth century tothe north west behind the current port hidden among the hills and notvery visible from the sea. In 1550 settlers descended from Chiosami,refugees from the Chios island. However, the period in which thepopulation increased considerably was in the mid eighteenth century,bringing many people from the Peloponnese oppressed by the Turks insearch of safer areas and from the nearby Ikaria island thuscreating a settlement with all services such as schools, houses ,shops and churches.

Meseo Karlovasi originallycalled “Kalivia” (huts) because the Paleo Karlovasi inhabitants built small makeshift buildings there for theiragricultural work, over time they were transformed into permanentdwellings. In the mid 18th century, the community was expanded bysettlers from the Peloponnese. It began to form around the Agos Athanasios church, on the ruins of an older settlement and extended tothe sea and the Santa Pelagia church. During the renovations ofthe church in the mid-19th century, foundations of an olderByzantine style monastery were found.

Do not miss themajestic Church of the Holy Trinity (Agia Triada) also called “The Lycabettus of the Karlovasi” which dominates from the highesthill in the old part of the city. Built in 1824 by the monk Neophytosit is located at an altitude of 120 meters above the sea level and isconsidered the oldest.In its interior is kept the silver icon of theLife giving Fountain and its elaborate marble dome dating from the19th century is based on columns that are part of the ancientPythagorean Gyfada building. interesting and well stocked library isjealously guarded in the monastery.

And yet the stupendous19th century Agios Nikolaos Church, designed by the architectAngelos Angelidis. An ambitious project with harmonious proportionsincludes a large garden that runs around the building. A bright blueand white dome with high arched windows, it boasts twin bell towersand the tower to the right has a four faced clock. Gray marblecolumns with Ionic style capitals support the arches at the entranceto the large facade that looks directly onto the harbour.

Instead, taking a walkthrough the Karlovasi streets, you can reach the main square wherethe Municipal Palace and the Science and Mathematics School of the AegeanUniversity stand, or stop at the Folklore museum to geteven more knowledge of the Samos culture.Then close the day witha nice walk along the seafront at sunset where you can enjoy the Mother Naturecolors .

Less than threekilometers away you can visit a small fortress built by the Genoesewho dominated the island until the 13th century, and a splendid 11thcentury Byzantine temple considered the oldest on Samos. The smallvillages that surround Karlovasi like satellites have a unique andparticular charm: Phrophitis Elias with its monastery and itsfantastic view, Potami with its natural spring, Sakouleika orSourides. And finally the city beach, sandy with some pebbles, aclear and calm sea where you can relax when you don’t feel like goingaround to discover the area. Equipped with sunbeds, umbrellas, watersports and several taverns behind it where you can find food anddrinks. A little crowded in the summer it must be said but it’s greatfor a day of idleness or as a last dip before returning to the hotel.About four kilometers to the west, Potami beach with its crystalclear waters and lush intact nature that embraces it like a tendermother.

So many things to doand see here too, it is important to get organized, make a list ofwhat interests you most and as we always say “get lost”.