Sightseeing ...

The castle

The initial nucleus of the castle was most probably constructed with an ancient building material, during the Justinian times. It was later restored by Francisco Gattilusio and an extension was built while the island was under the Ottoman Turkish Rule.

Within the fortress walls there are arcades ; a superb piece of craftsmanship which served as an assembly area for the women and children while the castle was under attack. Adequate ventilation and lighting was provided via purpose-built small openings in the fortress walls. There are long passages behind the arcades. Rumour has it that the arcade passages have an exit ; however it remains unfound until this day.

The fortress communicated with the “Casteli”, a graphic bastion which occupied the area where the Statue of Liberty stands today.

Nowadays, during the summer months a variety of cultural events are held within the fortress walls, in a section which has been appropriately modified to suit this purpose.

 

The Ancient Theatre

The ancient Theatre of Mytilene lies at a short distance from the end of a steep road which runs through the Minor Asia refugee settlement of Epano Skala as far as the church of Aghia Kyriaki. The theatre was built on a hillock in a small pine forest.

Excavations by D. Evangelides and A. Vavritra in 1958, revealed the orchestra. The Theatre of Mytilene was one of the largest in Greece. With a capacity of 15.000 spectators, the it was comparable with that of Epidaurus. Its construction dates from the Hellenistic times (300 - 100 BC) and later, though we do not know who built it. The Theatre was restored while the island was under Roman rule; a time of cultural prosperity.

The Theatre made such an impression on Pompeii, who visited Mytilene in 62 BC, that he commanded a similar theatre be erected in Rome. Thus, the Theatre of Mytilene was used as a prototype for the construction of the famous Theatre of Pompeii in the Roman capital.

 

The Polygonal Wall (V century BC)

Ruins of the wall of the ancient town have been located at a number of sites: near the ancient Theatre; opposite the municipal park; in the town centre. Sections of the wall have even been discovered below sea level.

 

The ancient cemetery (IX - III century BC) at the Kourtzi site.

A temple dedicated to Apollo and Hera may have existed at this site.

 

Mosaics

Mosaics were found on the grounds of a villa dating from the post-Roman era - “the residence of Menandros” at the “Horafa” site. These mosaics are marked for their supreme quality. In 1980 they were removed from their original place and transferred to the archaeological museum of the town, where they are on display.

 

Ruins of a building which dates back to the 3rd century, behind the Diocese of Mytilene, are believed to be ruins of the Chamber of Deputies of ancient Mytilene.

The Roman House lies in the direction of the Epano Skala district, at the municipal market exit.

 

The following are more recently built establishments of interest :

The manor houses, which belonged to local bourgeoisie, were built near the turn of the 18th and early 19th century. These buildings are a point of reference in the town of Mytilene. The most striking feature of these buildings is their aesthetic effect. The balanced combination of various styles : baroque, classical and the strong influence of the eastern culture produced buildings of exceptional beauty. The interior of these manor houses is decorated with murals; fretwork ceilings; plaster wainscoting. Most of these houses are located in the Sourada and Akleidiou areas.

Of the buildings along the port waterfront, the following are worth taking a look at:

 

The following buildings are located in the castle area :

 

While the follow are located near the Diocese ...

The traditional residence of Marika Vlachou (late 18th early 19th century). The ground floor has been transformed into a museum which has a fine collection of furniture, utensils, carpets, embroidery etc. This museum brings alive the by-gone days and the reveals details of the Mytilenian household and life.

Behind the building which was once the Town Hall one can see the “Gymnasium” (High School) for Boys (1890) - which houses the 1st and 2nd High School and Lyceum today. The High School Library with a collection of some 6.000 rare books and manuscripts, is located on the same grounds.

Within walking distance is the Public Library with its collection of 40.000 rare volumes.

 

Among the most important churches are :

The Diocese (Metropolis) (1882), dedicated to St. Athanasios. This is where the relics of St. Theodoros of the Byzantine, the patron saint of Mytilene, are safeguarded.

St. (Aghios) Therapon. The largest church in terms of land area in the town. Its construction began in 1860 and is of the Byzantine style. This is where the relics of the Metropolitan bishop of Hungarian Vlach Egnatius, who played an important role in the War of Independence (1821), are kept. The church of St. Therapon contains many valuable icons and two famous byzantines : that of Jesus Christ, which dates from the 14th century and that of John the Evangelist which dates from the 15th century.

St Theodoros stands at a short distance from the Diocese. It most probably dates back to the Byzantine Era. It was built in 1795, replacing the old church which was destroyed by fire. Its is a three-aisle basilica. The ceiling of the middle aisle is elevated.

St Symeon (1885 - 1892)

Aghioi Apostoloi (1815)

St Nicolaos located on the waterfront, in the Epano Skala district. It served as an Ottoman temple and was transformed into a Christian shelter in 1929 for the religious needs of the refugees from Asia Minor. Tradition has it that Mohammed the Conqueror put up his tent on this site in 1462, when Mytilene was taken by Turks. The Mytilenians named the road “the road of tears”, because slavery and a bloody massacre followed the fall of the town.