Pythagorion Samos
Pythagorion village can be found in the southwest area of the island about ten kilometers from the capital Vathy and not far from the airport.
Its name was Tigani until 1955 but was then renamed into Pythagorion taking the name of the famous philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras who was born right on Samos in the nearby capital. Built amphitheatrically in a beautiful bay with the first artificial port in the Mediterranean, it branches off between narrow alleys and well preserved old houses with typical red tiled roofs. A large choice of cafes, shops, restaurants, traditional taverns, bakeries, many archaeological sites to admire and given its position, makes the town a very lively and interesting place for a holiday on Samos.
Its origins are very ancient, just think that its uninterrupted history begins 3000 years ago, passing under different dominations and alternating moments of flourishing prosperity with periods of decline. The current town is just above the Samos ancient city when Policarte reigned (537-522 BC) which came to light with excavations, and for this reason it is included by Unesco as a city of global cultural heritage.
As you walk its many streets, don't miss Blue Street where locals and various artists have painted everything blue and white, a wonderful place for souvenir photos. The main street Odos Lykourgou Logothti instead, will lead you to the port where most of the shops, hotels and taverns are concentrated with the Pythagoras statue at the end. There are many boats and yachts docked as well as the typical fishermen's boats that delight the inhabitants and visitors every day with the gifts of the sea. For those who love to discover the island and its surroundings, they can participate in one of the beautiful boat excursions that lead, for example, to the Samiopoula island, or Agathonissi up to go as far as the mystical Patmos, and still take the opportunity to move around Turkey. the proximity to Samos and its coasts up to Ephesos and finally even a simple tour of the most beautiful beaches of the island such as Psili Ammos or Asporskavos just to give you an idea.
For the more lazy instead always a few steps from the port, the small city beach with crystal clear waters and rich vegetation behind it but perfect if you don't feel like wandering around one day. If, on the other hand, you don't mind taking a walk of a couple of kilometres, you can reach Potokaki beach, one of the largest on Samos with a sandy and pebble coast, a turquoise and almost always flat sea with a gently sloping seabed, ideal for families with children.
For those who love history, however, there is a busy program to organize among the things to see on Samos in the Pythagorion town. Let's start with the late 7th century Byzantine castle where the tyrant Polycrates palace of Samos is supposed to be located. In the 5th century AD during the Christian period three basilicas were built, one of which was the bishop's seat. It was often repaired and renovated, the last by the Genoese Giustiniani family until it was abandoned in 1475 when the Ottomans arrived. In the 19th century, Lykourgos Logothetis, political and military leader of Samos in the Greek War of Independence, between 1824 and 1827 had one of the towers rebuilt to use as the administrative center of the island.
Don't miss the Metamorphosis Church of Sotiros on the hill of Pythagorion near the museum tower of Logothethis. Symbol of the liberation of the island, it was begun in 1831, completed in 1853 and strongly desired by Logothethis himself to commemorate the Samos city in the epic naval battle in the Mykali Strait against the Ottomans on August 6, 1824. Symbol of the liberation of the island to commemorate the event, events are organized for two days with a beautiful representation of the clash between Greeks and Turks in the strait. The Church has a sumptuous dome and originally had a single wing, later it was enlarged to the north and south with rectangular corners. Inside there are marble iconostases and a beautiful pulpit from the early twentieth century.
The Archaeological Museum is another stop to mark. We find it in the village center next to the ancient ruins of the city. Over 3000 artifacts found during the excavations that give a very good idea of what life could be like once here on Samos. You will be able to observe the votive offerings, the sculptures that adorned the northern part of the Via Sacra and a Kouros. And yet the Panagia Spilian Monastery i at 125 meters above sea level, dedicated to the Presentation of the Virgin Mary inside a large cave. Legend has it that one day the icon was stolen and as it passed by the boat it fell and broke into a thousand pieces. The sea over time carried them piece by piece to the shore and the locals picked them up
The undisputed symbol of Samos is undoubtedly the Ireo with its majestic Heraion, the temple dedicated to the goddess Hera who, according to mythology, was born right on the island. An Ionic temple with 115 columns, considered the most impressive in all of Greece with a 4m wide paved road adorned with statues that ran all the way from the sanctuary to the city. To date unfortunately only one column remains, the Via Sacra and the mighty altar. Together with the ancient theatre, the Heraion are under Unesco protection and classified as world heritage monuments.
Last but not least, the Efpalinio, the jewel of engineering aqueduct that affirms the high level of knowledge of the ancient Greeks. A tunnel with two openings from the 6th century BC built in the period of domination of Polycrates was intended to bring water from the spring of Agiades to the city. 1036 meters long, almost 2.5 meters wide and high, it crosses an entire hill. Along its entire length it reaches a second tunnel almost 10 meters deep and 3 wide where the water from the source was transported through pipes directly into the citadel. All underground so as to remain safe from enemies.
In short, here too many things to see and discover to fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere and history of this beautiful island.