The coastal town ofLimni is located in the northwest part of Evia about eightykilometers from the capital Chalkida.
One of the mostbeautiful areas of the west coast, where luxuriant vegetation made upof thick forests and fertile orchards with the mountain range behindit, seems poised between the sea and the mountains, offeringwonderful beaches surrounded by thick pine trees and a flora thatalmost reaches to touch the waters to the south, while to the northvillages such as the Rovies town, Chronià and Elia to reachEdipsos.
As we said, right abovethe Eubea Gulf where the Limni village is located, the Kantili mountain range extends with a maximum altitude of almost 1250 metersand 25 kilometers long. Beautiful mountain villages such asDafnoussa, Kalyvia, Troupi and the village of the same name. Asuccession of woods of plane and fir trees, natural springs andancient monasteries such as that of Zoodochos Pigi where the viewextends as far as the Sporades Archipelago and across Evia. Thehighest peak of Strouggitsa offers breathtaking views of the entireisland as well as the gulf and the other Alpine peaks.
The area of Limni wasinhabited from the second millennium BC and was known as Elymnius.During the Roman and Byzantine domination, it was very prosperous butcontinually subjected to raids by pirates thus forcing theinhabitants to move inland above a hill to the town of KastrinoElymnio. In the mid sixteenth century, however, they returned to thecoast as the era of sea raiders ended, rebuilding everything andgiving life to the current village. Limni had, like almost all ofEvia, a great importance during the Revolution of 1821 as it gaveasylum and helped the resistance a lot. Finally freed from the Turks,the extraction of magnesite intensified, of which it was very rich,giving it prosperity and fame. The activity continued until theSecond World War, then everything stopped.
The Limni villagepresents itself to its visitors in the shape of an amphitheater withold and simple fishermen's houses flanked by stupendous neoclassicalbuildings with still well preserved red roofs. The promenade thatruns along the wooden pier is full of typical taverns where you cantaste excellent seafood and very fresh fish, more fashionablerestaurants and delicious ouzeries for a glass of liqueur accompaniedby delicious appetizers. There is certainly no shortage of shops forshopping and various accommodation opportunities ranging from simpleapartments to hotels. Could the beach have been missing? Obviouslynot! It is located outside the town and has a long coastline of smallstones bathed by clean and transparent waters. It is not equipped soyou can decide to bring everything with you or take a walk and returnto Limni city.
To see the Genesis tis Theotokou Church (Celestial Birth of the Virgin Mary) in thecenter of the village built in 1837. A basilica with three naves anda sumptuous marble bell tower erected in 1879 by the sculptor of the Tinos Mastroloukas island, the Zoodoxos Pigi Church ( the Virgin Mary vitalsource) built over the ruins of an early Christianbasilica and the Roman baths, and still the Town Hall which housesthe historical archive which collects documents from 1732 thencontinuing with the Aghios Christodoulos hermitage from the 12thcentury near the beach the cave where the Saint took refuge and livedas a hermit.
Two more words for the Agios NikolaosMonastery also called Moni Galataki at the foot ofMount Kandili with a splendid view. It's actually about tenkilometers from Limni, but it's definitely worth a visit. The nameGalataki comes from its founder a sailor from Galata Istanbul whosurvived a terrible storm at sea by taking refuge in Evia and wholater became a monk. In the center stands a tower which was used forsightings and to defend the monastery. Inside it preserves preciousrelics including the right hand of Sant'Andrea in a silver scabbard,icons, books and ancient manuscripts of inestimable value. Theremains of the monk are instead found in the sanctuary which rests onthe first column on the left which supports the dome. In 1946 itbecame a religious community of nuns and today there are 6 of them.
A bustling town, anexcellent base for exploring the island with all the modernfacilities for a comfortable and relaxed holiday in Evia. Put it onyour list of things to do and see in Evia, it will be a journeythrough nature and a lot of history.