Mitilene Lesbos

Mytilini city also called Mytilene, capital of the Lesbos island we find it on the east coast just in front of Turkey. The step to the east is really short.

Built amphitheatrically between seven beautiful hills full of vegetation that extend as far as its natural port, it is a cosmopolitan town, an artistic, commercial and industrial center where the past and the present merge without bothering each other. Old neighborhoods, delightful suburbs, archaeological monuments, imposing churches, stone palaces, interesting museums, a seafront with the most modern comforts, where the Aegean view is breathtaking and a labyrinth of narrow streets that put even the more expert drivers in finding the exit, in short, everything you need for a relaxing holiday without ever getting bored. There is also a beach where you can recharge your batteries and enjoy a fresh swim.

Inhabited since the 10th century BC, ancient Mytilene was actually an islet where the medieval castle stands which is separated from the coast by the Euripo canal which connected the north port to the old port and the south port called new port. Later the canal was filled thus joining the two strips of land. The southern port is flanked by a long pier and on the outside there is the tourist and commercial port on one side and the ferry dock on the other. In the center a small anchor with a circular shape. Until the seventh century BC, the leadership of the island was disputed with Methymna, later becoming the main centre. From the 6th century BC it was subject to dictatorships, conflicts with Athens, civil revolutions and conquest by the Persians and managed to be independent for the first time in the Roman period. From 1355 to 1462 the Genoese Gattilusi family occupied the island and contributed to the Byzantine fortress reconstruction. In 1462 the Ottoman Empire took possession of Lesvos and of the whole of Greece, dominating it until 1912.

Mytilene is very active and lively from dawn to late at night. There are numerous shops where you can find the perfect souvenir, cafés where you can meet the locals and listen to fantastic stories, trendy restaurants, typical taverns and clubs where you can spend wonderful evenings. There are many things to see and do in Mytilini starting from its imposing castle considered one of the largest in the whole Mediterranean. Above a hill to the south of the city, it has Byzantine origins and was erected above the ancient Acropolis. Today you can see the Ottoman baths, the queen's tower, the crypts and a cistern used for collecting water. From here the view is magnificent. A fresh pine forest surrounds it which reaches the shore of the public beach of golden sand bathed by a crystalline and transparent sea. It is well equipped with sunbeds, umbrellas, bars and changing cabins and is always very crowded especially in the summer. Finally, in the warm season it becomes the scene for numerous cultural events.

For a dive into the past and to understand the importance of this multifaceted island, the Archaeological Museum right in the center of the city is not to be missed. It occupies two buildings next to each other and preserves finds from the Hellenistic and Roman periods such as sought after floors, friezes, mosaics from Roman villas and various sculptures.

For a little frivolity and levity, a trip to the main shopping street Ermou is a must especially for the ladies. Nice shops of all kinds for a personal gift or as a souvenir of the holiday. On the way you will come across the impressive Turkish Yeni Tzami mosque. It was commissioned in 1825 by the local Ottoman governor and features elements of Byzantine and Turkish architecture. The building is stone with a red tiled domed roof. In the early 1920s the Saracen population left the island and the mosque became a refuge for Greek refugees. In 2000 restoration works were carried out, bringing it back almost to its former glory. Theatrical performances and exhibitions are also organized here.

Still following Ermou Street, we arrive at the Agios Therapon church which dominates the Mytilene sky. Built in 1860 it is located just behind the harbor road in the market. Built on top of an ancient Byzantine style temple dedicated to the god Apollo, inside there is a rich collection of icons and sculptures in wood and gold. Also worth seeing is the 16th century St. Athanasius Cathedral where there is a secret underground tomb and the St. Theodore sacred relics martyr hanged by the Turks in 1795. On 17 February and the fourth Sunday after Easter a large party in his honour.

In the old district of Apano Skala near the old port, you can admire the ruins of the ancient agora and the Roman aqueduct as well as an ancient theatre. The suburb was colonized by Greek refugees from Asia Minor in 1922 for whom two storey stone houses were built which are still inhabited today. In the Varia district on the outskirts of the capital, you can get lost in the Theophilos Museums and in that of Teriade. Both house collections that are the envy of even the most famous museums in the world. Specifically, that of Teriade welcomes the works of Strati Eleftheriadi a subsidizer of the arts who has collected works by great Greek and European artists such as Picasso, Matisse and Miro' just to name a few.

And finally, how can we fail to underline the fact that Lesvos is considered the capital of Ouzo? Stop at the Matis Ouzo factory where the market is in a small street that connects Ermou street to Archipelagos street, it has a hundred years of history in the production of the famous distillate drunk throughout Greece and the world. The base anise seed for its preparation is grown right on Lesbos in the area called Lisvory. However, if you want a tour that tells the story of Ouzo well, go to the Barbajjanis factory in Plomari. For those who have never heard of it before, know that it is a must in Greece, it is usually drunk accompanied with the famous "mezedes" (appetizers in Greek) based on fresh fish, cheese and olives, just to give you an idea.

These are just a small part of the things to see in Mytilini, a rich, lively, stateless city and an excellent base for exploring the wonderful  Lesvos island.