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On
September 1st 1462 the fleet of Mahmud Pasha
besieges Mytilene. Melanoudi falls (an area protected by
outer walls on the outskirts of the city) and Niccolo
Gattilusio handed over the castle. Molyvos is the next
city to fall, followed by Aghii Theodori and Eresus. Ten
thousand are sent to Constantinople. The island now
belongs to the “Eyalet of the Island and of the Caspian
Sea”. The Ottoman Turks extend and renovate the Castles
of Molyvos and Mytilene. They build the Castle of Sigri
(1757). The other fortresses are abandoned. The village
populations have gone in hiding in gullies for fear that
there may be piracy. The Monasteries are abandoned. They
become state property. They are gradually bought back by
Christians to be re-established (Limonos, Ipsilou,
Myrsiniotissas, Pithari, Kriokopou etc.). The churches
are small, dark and decorated with icons. Water mills,
drinking fountains, olive mills and, during the middle of
the 19th century, steam-driven olive presses
are the basis of the island economy. There are two
diocese one of which is transferred to Kalloni. Mosques
and minarets are erected. The beginning of the 16th century (Limonian School) marks the first cautious steps in the field of education. Towers are built all over the island. After the Russo-Turkish War (1768-1774) the Ku çu k Kaynarca Treaty was signed, establishing the protection of the Christian religion. The Hatti Humayun edict (1839-1856) establishes the principles of equality before the law, freedom of religion. It is during this period that the magnificent churches and Manor houses we see today are built. Trade is taken over by Christians (Smyrna (Izmir), Odessa, Constantinople, Alexandria). Of the 140.000 inhabitants only 40.000 are Ottoman turks. Schools and large public buildings are erected. In 1821 Papanicolis burns down a Turkish battleship in Eressos. The present-day port of Mytilene is developed. Soap and olive oil is exported across the Mediterranean. The year 1912 is approaching. |