Jump to content

Lesbos

Coordinates:39°13′N26°17′E/ 39.217°N 26.283°E/39.217; 26.283
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lesbos
Περιφερειακή ενότητα
Λέσβου
Regional unit
Mytilene
Mytilene
Lesbos is located in Greece
Lesbos
Lesbos
Lesbos within the North Aegean
Coordinates:39°13′N26°17′E/ 39.217°N 26.283°E/39.217; 26.283
CountryGreece
Administrative regionNorth Aegean
SeatMytilene
Area
• Total1,633 km2(631 sq mi)
Population
(2021)[1]
• Total83,755
• Density51/km2(130/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Lesbian,Lesvian
Time zoneUTC+2(EET)
• Summer (DST)UTC+3(EEST)
Postal code
81x xx
Area code(s)225x0

LesbosorLesvos(Greek:Λέσβος,romanized:Lésvos[ˈlezvos]) is aGreek islandlocated in the northeasternAegean Sea.It has an area of 1,633 km2(631 sq mi),[2]with approximately 400 kilometres (249 miles) ofcoastline,making it the third largest island inGreeceand theeighth largestin the Mediterranean. It is separated fromAsia Minorby the narrowMytilini Strait.On the southeastern coast is the island's capital and largest city,Mytilene(Μυτιλήνη), whose name is also used for the island as a whole. Lesbos is a separateregional unitwith the seat inMytilene,which is also the capital of the largerNorth Aegeanregion. The region includes the islands of Lesbos,Chios,Ikaria,Lemnos,andSamos.The total population of the island was 83,755 in 2021.[1]A third of Lesbians live in the capital, while the remainder are concentrated in small towns and villages. The largest arePlomari,Kalloni,theGera Villages,Agiassos,Eresos,andMolyvos(the ancient Mythimna).

According to later Greek writers, Mytilene was founded in the 11th century BC by the family Penthilidae, who arrived fromThessalyand ruled the city-state until a popular revolt (590–580 BC) led byPittacus of Mytileneended their rule. In fact, the archaeological and linguistic records may indicate a lateIron Agearrival of Greek settlers, although references in Late Bronze Age Hittite archives indicate a likely Greek presence then. According toHomer'sIliad,Lesbos was part of the kingdom ofPriam,which was based inAnatolia.In the Middle Ages, it was underByzantineand thenGenoeserule. Lesbos wasconqueredby theOttoman Empirein 1462. The Ottomans then ruled the island until theFirst Balkan Warin 1912, when it became part of the Kingdom of Greece.

Names[edit]

TheEnglishnameLesbos(pronounced/ˈlɛzbɒs/,alsoUS:/ˈlɛzbəs,-boʊs/) is fromAncient GreekΛέσβος(Lésbos).[3]The name appears inLate Bronze AgeHittitetexts asLazpa(Hittite:𒆷𒊍𒉺Lāzpa).[4][5][6][7]The earliest reference to Lesbos in Greek texts comes from theHomericpoems, where it is described as "well-built".[7]The etymology of the name is obscure,[8]but may have originally meant'forested','wooded'.[9]

InModern Greek,the letterbeta⟨β⟩ is pronounced and transliterated as[v],thus producing the alternative formLesvos.An older name for the island that was maintained inAeolic GreekwasἼσσα(Íssa).Pliny the Elderalso refers to the island with the namesἱμερτή(himertḗ,'desirable') andΛασία(Lasía,often understood as'shaggy').[7]In Greece, Lesbos is commonly referred to as Mytilene (Μυτιλήνη) after its capital.[10]Some suggest that the name derives from theAnatolianroot "muwa" meaning power,[7]while others have suggested a link to the ancient Greek word μυτίλος (mytilos), meaningmussel,or a type thereof.[11][12]The ending-eneappears to be the common Greek place name suffix (-enosinmasculine) indicating provenance.[7]The island is also sometimes called the "Island of the Poets", alluding to renowned native poets likeAlcaeusandSappho.[13][14]

History[edit]

Prehistory[edit]

Lesbos has been inhabited since at least 3000 BC. The oldest artifacts found on the island may date to the latePaleolithic period.[15]Important archaeological sites on the island are theNeolithiccave ofKagiani,probably a refuge for shepherds, the Neolithic settlement ofChalakies,and the extensive habitation of Thermi (3000–1000 BC). The largest habitation is found in Lisvori, dating back to 2800–1900 BC, part of which is submerged in shallow coastal waters.

Lesbos is mentioned in twoHittite textsfrom theLate Bronze Age,a period during which the island appears to have been a dependent of theSeha River Land.TheManapa-Tarhunta letterrecounts an incident in which a group of purple-dyers from Lesbos defected from the Sehan king.[16]

Ancient and Classical era[edit]

Coin of Lesbos under theAchaemenid Empire,c. 510–480 BC

According to ClassicalGreek mythology,Lesbos was thepatron godof the island.Macareus of Rhodeswas reputedly the first king whose many daughters bequeathed their names to some of the present larger towns. In Classical myth his sister,Canace,was killed to have him made king. The place names with female origins are claimed by some[who?]to be much earlier settlements named after local goddesses, who were replaced by gods; however, there is little evidence to support this.Homerrefers to the island as "Macaros edos,"the seat of Macar.Hittiterecords from the LateBronze Agename the islandLazpaand must have considered its population significant enough to allow the Hittites to "borrow their Gods" (presumably idols) to cure their king when the local gods were not forthcoming. It is believed that emigrants from mainland Greece, mainly fromThessaly,entered the island in the Late Bronze Age and bequeathed it with the Aeolic dialect of the Greek language, whose written form survives in the poems ofSappho,amongst others. In classical times, the cities of the island formed apentapolis,comprisingMytilene,Methymna,Antissa,Eresos,andPyrrha.[17]Pyrrha was destroyed in an earthquake in 231 BC, and Antissa by theRoman Republicin 168 BC.[17]

Sappholistens as the poetAlcaeusplays akithara.(Painting byLawrence Alma-Tadema,1881)[18]

Two of thenine lyric poetsin the Ancient Greek canon, Sappho andAlcaeus,were from Lesbos.Phaniaswrote history. The seminal artistic creativity of those times brings to mind the myth ofOrpheusto whomApollogave alyreand theMusestaught to play and sing. When Orpheus incurred the wrath of the god Dionysus he was dismembered by the Maenads and of his body parts his head and his lyre found their way to Lesbos where they have "remained" ever since.Pittacuswas one of theSeven Sages of Greece.In classical times,Hellanicusadvanced historiography andTheophrastus,the father of botany, succeededAristotleas the head of the Lyceum. Aristotle andEpicuruslived there for some time, and it is there that Aristotle began systematic zoological investigations.[19]

View of the Roman aqueduct

Theophanes,the historian who recordedPompey's campaigns, was also from Lesbos. As the Greek novelDaphnis and Chloeis set on Lesbos, the author,Longus,is usually assumed to be from the island. The abundant grey pottery ware found on the island and the worship ofCybele,the great mother-goddess ofAnatolia,suggest the cultural continuity of the population fromNeolithictimes. When the Persian kingCyrus the GreatdefeatedCroesus(546 BC) the Ionic Greek cities of Anatolia and the adjacent islands became Persian subjects and remained such until the Persians were defeated by the Greeks at theBattle of Salamis(480 BC). The island was governed by anoligarchyinarchaic times,followed by quasi-democracy inclassical times.Around this time,Ariondeveloped the type of poem calleddithyramb,the progenitor of tragedy, andTerpanderinvented the seven-note musical scale for the lyre. For a short period it was a member of theAthenian confederacy,its apostasy from which is recounted byThucydidesin theMytilenian Debate,in Book III of hisHistory of the Peloponnesian War.InHellenistictimes, the island belonged to variousSuccessor kingdomsuntil 79 BC when it passed intoRomanhands. Remnants of its Roman medieval history are three impressive castles. The cities of Mytilene and Methymna have been bishoprics since the 5th century. By the early 10th century, Mytilene had been raised to the status of ametropolitan see.Methymna achieved the same by the 12th century.[20]

Middle Ages and Byzantine era[edit]

During the Middle Ages, Lesbos belonged to theByzantine Empire.In 802, the Byzantine EmpressIrenewas exiled to Lesbos after her deposition and died there.[20]The island served as a gathering base for the fleet of the rebelThomas the Slavin the early 820s.[20]In the late 9th century, it was heavily raided by theEmirate of Crete.As a result, the inhabitants of Eresos abandoned their town and settled inMount Athos.[21]In the 10th century, it was part of thethemeof theAegean Sea,while in the late 11th century it formed adioikesis(fiscal district) under akouratorin Mytilene.[20]Inc. 1089–1093, the island was briefly occupied by theSeljukTurkish emirTzachas,ruler ofSmyrna,but he was unable to capture Methymna, which resisted throughout.[20][21]In the 12th century, the island became a frequent target for plundering raids by theRepublic of Venice.[20]

Denaro ofFrancesco II Gattilusio,lord of Lesbos (1384–1403)

After theFourth Crusade(1202–1204) the island passed to theLatin Empire,but was reconquered by theEmpire of Nicaeasometime after 1224.[20]In 1354, it was granted as a dowry and fief to theGenoeseFrancesco I Gattilusioby the Byzantine emperorJohn V Palaiologos.[20][21]TheGattilusiofamily ruled the island for over a century, engaging in fortifications at theCastle of Mytilene,Molyvos (ancient Methymna), and the fort of Agios Theodoros at the site of ancient Antissa.[17]

Ottoman era[edit]

Map of Lesbos by Giacomo Franco (1597)

After theFall of Constantinoplein 1453, the Gattilusi continued to rule Lesbos as tributary vassals to theOttoman Empire,until the island wasconqueredby SultanMehmed IIin September 1462.[20][21]After the capture of Lesbos, the richer inhabitants were moved toConstantinoplein order to repopulate the city, some boys and girls were taken away into imperial service, but the rest of the population remained. Mehmed II brought in Muslim settlers fromRumeliaandAnatolia,and encouraged hisJanissariesto settle there and take local wives.[17][21]Among them was Yakub, the father of the pirate admiralHayreddin Barbarossa.[17]Named Midilli (مدللى) after its capital, Mytilene, the island became asanjak(province) of theEyalet of Rumelia,and after 1534 of theEyalet of the Archipelago.[21]Mytilene and Molova (the Turkish name for Molyvos/Methymna) became seats ofkadis.The cathedral of Mytilene was converted into a mosque. Otherwise, the organization of the local Orthodox church was not altered.[17]

In 1464, as part of theFirst Ottoman–Venetian War,the Venetians underOrsato Giustinianioccupied the fort of Agios Theodoros, but failed to capture the rest of the island, and destroyed the castle upon their withdrawal. Another attack occurred in 1474, when the Venetians underPietro Mocenigoraided the island.[17]During theSecond Ottoman–Venetian War,a Venetian-led fleet of 200 shipsbesieged Mytilene,but the attack was defeated byŞehzade Korkut.His father, SultanBayezid II,then reinforced the Castle of Mytilene with artillery bastions.[17]

The large majority of the island's population remained Greek Christian, although there was a sizeableMuslimcommunity, formed from both immigrants and converts; from 7.4% of households in 1488, it rose to a peak of 19.45% in 1831 before starting to decline in relative terms, reaching 14% in 1892. The Islamization process peaked between 1602 and 1644.[17]The Muslims lived throughout the island. Relations between the two communities were generally good, and Lesbians were often bilingual in bothGreekandOttoman Turkish.[21]During Ottoman rule, the compulsorydevshirmesystem was implemented into the island, where the locals including Muslim landowners and the state representatives negotiated enlisting their teenagers into the Ottoman military by preventing some boys from being levied and sneaking others into the levied groups. For example, in the winter between 1603 and 1604, 105 boys were levied from the island and Lesvos was the only Island that the levy was implemented on the levy of this period.[22]

Lesbos prospered from trade, and Mytilene was considered the busiest Ottoman port in theAegean Sea.West European representatives are attested in the city already in 1700, acting as vice-consuls for the consulates in Smyrna. The island exported olives and olive oil, wheat, grapes, raisins and wine, figs, fish, dairy products, acorns, soap, leather and hides, pitch and livestock.[21]Mytilene itself increased five-fold in population during the Ottoman period. A number of new mosques were erected in the city, and Hayreddin Barbarossa built amadrasa,dervish lodge,andimareterected in his hometown.[17]Many of the early Ottoman buildings, as well as the city walls, were destroyed in the earthquake of 1867.[17]MevleviandBektashilodges are attested, since 1544 for the former, and since 1699 for the latter.[17]Molyvos, which was the island's second city for most of the Ottoman period, also experienced growth, doubling in size; unlike Mytilene, the Muslim element came to predominate, and comprised over half the population by 1874. Mosques were built and fortifications were undertaken during the longCretan Warwith Venice. But during the 19th century, the town declined rapidly in importance and number of inhabitants, a decline which continued to modern times.[17]In the mid-18th century, the castle and settlement ofSigriwere established to protect the western coast from pirate attacks.[17]

European warships offMytileneduring the 1905 incident.

The relative prosperity of the island—wealth was apparently concentrated among the Greek Christian bourgeoisie rather than the Muslim community[21]—contributed to the island not taking part in theGreek War of Independencein 1821–1829.[17]During the second half of the 19th century, this prosperity became evident in the construction of large and ornamented mansions and churches; the Muslims followed suit, employing the fashionableNeo-ClassicalandNeo-Gothicstyles in their own renovations of their mosques, especially after the destructive 1867 earthquake.[17]The Ottoman writer and liberal politicianNamık Kemalserved in the local administration in 1877–1884.[17]In 1905, four European powers seized the customs and telegraph offices in the island to pressure the Ottoman government to accept their plan for an international commission that would supervise the provinces ofMacedonia.[21]

Modern era[edit]

See also:Battle of Lesbos (1912)andHistory of modern Greece

In 1912, theFirst Balkan Warbroke out betweenGreece,Bulgaria,SerbiaandMontenegro,and theOttoman Empireover the independence and expansion of Christian Balkan states. Under Rear AdmiralPavlos Kountouriotis,Greek naval forces landed at Lesbos on 21 November 1912, commencing theBattle of Lesbos.Kountouriotis sent an ultimatum to secure Mytilene under Greece, which Ottoman officials agreed to, before fleeing the city.[23]The operation to annex the rest of the island was placed under Colonel Apollodoros Syrmakezis.[24]Syrmakezis led 3,175 troops towards an Ottoman camp inFilia,reaching the outskirts of the city on 19 December, with an attack planned for the following morning. However, Ottoman military commanders approached Syrmakezis with a request for an armistice and Ottoman surrender was finalised on 21 December 1912, a month after the commencement of the battle.[25]Nine Greek troops were killed and 81 were injured during the battle.[26]The following year, the Ottoman Empire denied their previous agreement to cede Lesbos to Greece, until theTreaty of London.[27][17]

In theGreco-Turkish population exchangethat followedWorld War Iand theGreco-Turkish War of 1919–1922,the local Muslims left the island and Lesbos returned to a fully Greek Christian population, as it had been before the Ottoman era.[17]In 1922, manyGreek refugeesof the war and the concurrentGreek Genocidesettled in Lesbos. These refugees were mostly women and children as the men were either fighting or had died in battle. A statue of a mother cradling her children named the "Statue of the Asia Minor Mother" was donated by the refugees and erected in Mytilene.[28]Twenty years later, duringWorld War II,Nazi Germanyconducted an invasion of Greece andYugoslavia,with both being defeated in 1941 and subsequently divided between theAxis Powers.Lesbos was occupied by Germany until 10 September 1944, when Greece was liberated.[29][30][31][32]

The poetOdysseus Elytis,the descendant of an old family of Lesbos, received theNobel Prize in Literaturein 1979.[33]

Tourism[edit]

The Roman Aqueduct at Mória
Castle of Mytilene

Lesbos is known to be one of the Greek island touristic hotspots, especially during its tourism season of April, May, June and July.[34]Mytilene airportmanagement recorded 47,379 tourists visiting Lesbos in its 2015 tourism season. Therefugee crisishas since slowed down tourism to the island, with a 67.89% decrease rate from June 2015 to June 2016. 6,841 Europeans on 47 flights arrived in Lesbos during its 2016 tourism season, compared to July the previous year, which saw 18,373 Europeans fly to the island on 130 flights.[34]94 cruise ships full of tourists arrived in Lesbos in 2011 and only one in 2018.[35]Of the refugee crisis' impact on tourism, Maria Dimitriou, a local shop owner fromMithymna,said, "2015 was a very good year for tourism and then, suddenly they started to arrive. The refugees began arriving in mid-July, when the hotels were full of tourists. There were refugees everywhere, lying down with all their trash. And after this, tourism stopped."[35]

In 2019, the head of the Lesbos chamber of commerce, Vangelis Mirsinias, toldThe Jakarta Postthat the island's administration is trying to "woo back the tourists" and they "want to remind people of how beautiful" Lesbos is. "[35]He advocated for theEuropean Unionto help in advertising and also said, "The economy is still paying the impact of the crisis. It will need time and money to change this image."[35]Lesbos is also a hotspot forDutch touristsand one Dutch tourist said that tourism had halted because people "did not feel like seeing all this misery" of the refugees.[35]One local told the publication that residents had become "fed up" and "people are angry towards the government and towards Europe: they told us not to worry, the camps won't last. But it's still there", whilst another business owner explained that he had lost a third of his business and "blames all the negative media attention" for the lack of tourists.[35]The Jakarta Postalso reported that tourists have increased in numbers in recent years, with 63,000 arriving in 2018.[35]TheCOVID-19 pandemichas also damaged the island's tourism industry.[36]

In April 2022, the Greek government announced a dedication of €2 million in restoring tourism in Lesbos and four other islands.[37]In October 2022, it was announced that Lesbos would return to the cruise ship industry.[38]Konstantinos Moutzouris, the governor of the North Aegean Region, which Lesbos is under, explained that the region's administration will run a study "in order to develop cruise tourism on the island."[38]The deputy governor of tourism, Nikolaos Nyktas, believed that the cruise industry "suits the island and its culture", while the head of development for the project, Ioannis Bras, said that the island could "offer a lot to the cruise market".[38]

In English and most other European languages, includingGreek,the termlesbianis commonly used to refer to homosexual women. This use of the term derives from the poems ofSappho,who was born in Lesbos and who wrote with powerful emotional content directed toward other women.[39]Due to this association, the town ofEresos,her birthplace, is visited frequently byLGBT tourists.[40]

Geography[edit]

Topography of Lesbos
Detailed map of Lesbos
Mount Olympus’ peak rises 967 metres over Lesbos
Agiasosvillage

Lesbos lies in the far east of the Aegean sea, facing the Turkish coast (Gulf of Edremit) from the north and east; at the narrowest point, theMytilini Straitis about 5.5 km (3.4 mi) wide. In late Palaeolithic/Mesolithic times it was joined to the Anatolian mainland before the end of theLast Glacial Period.[41]The shape of the island is roughly triangular, but it is deeply intruded by the gulfs ofKalloni,with an entry on the southern coast, and ofGera,in the southeast.[42]

The island is forested and mountainous with two large peaks, Mount Lepetymnos at 968 m (3,176 ft) and Mount Olympus at 967 m (3,173 ft) (not to be confused withMount Olympusin Thessaly on the Greek mainland), dominating its northern and central sections.[43]The island's volcanic origin is manifested in severalhot springsand the two gulfs. Lesbos is verdant, aptly namedEmerald Island,with a greater variety of flora than expected for the island's size. Eleven millionolive treescover 40% of the island, together with other fruit trees. Forests of Mediterraneanpines,chestnut trees and someoaksoccupy 20%, and the remainder isscrub,grasslandor urban. The island is also one of the best in the world for bird watching.[44]

Climate[edit]

The island has ahot-summer Mediterranean climate(Csain theKöppen climate classification). The mean annual temperature is 18 °C (64 °F), and the mean annual rainfall is 750 mm (30 in). Its exceptional sunshine makes it one of the sunniest islands in the Aegean Sea. Snow and very low temperatures are rare.

Climate data for Mytilene (1955-2010 averages)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 20.2
(68.4) 		21.3
(70.3) 		28.0
(82.4) 		31.0
(87.8) 		35.0
(95.0) 		40.0
(104.0) 		39.5
(103.1) 		38.2
(100.8) 		36.2
(97.2) 		30.8
(87.4) 		27.0
(80.6) 		22.5
(72.5) 		40.0
(104.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 12.2
(54.0) 		12.8
(55.0) 		15
(59) 		19.3
(66.7) 		24.3
(75.7) 		28.9
(84.0) 		31
(88) 		30.8
(87.4) 		27
(81) 		22
(72) 		17.4
(63.3) 		13.9
(57.0) 		20.9
(69.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 9.5
(49.1) 		9.9
(49.8) 		11.6
(52.9) 		15.6
(60.1) 		20.2
(68.4) 		24.7
(76.5) 		26.6
(79.9) 		26.1
(79.0) 		22.9
(73.2) 		18.5
(65.3) 		14.3
(57.7) 		11.3
(52.3) 		17.6
(63.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 6.8
(44.2) 		7.0
(44.6) 		8.2
(46.8) 		11.4
(52.5) 		15.3
(59.5) 		19.6
(67.3) 		22
(72) 		21.7
(71.1) 		18.6
(65.5) 		15
(59) 		11.4
(52.5) 		8.7
(47.7) 		13.7
(56.7)
Record low °C (°F) −4.4
(24.1) 		−3
(27) 		−1.2
(29.8) 		4.0
(39.2) 		8.4
(47.1) 		11.0
(51.8) 		15.8
(60.4) 		16.3
(61.3) 		10.9
(51.6) 		5.2
(41.4) 		1.4
(34.5) 		−1.4
(29.5) 		−4.4
(24.1)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) 111
(4.4) 		96.2
(3.79) 		70.1
(2.76) 		44.8
(1.76) 		19.8
(0.78) 		6.4
(0.25) 		2
(0.1) 		2.7
(0.11) 		12.4
(0.49) 		43.9
(1.73) 		97.1
(3.82) 		138.7
(5.46) 		670.6
(26.40)
Average precipitation days(≥ 1.0 mm) 9.0 8.1 6.5 4.8 2.7 0.8 0.4 0.4 1.3 3.3 6.8 10.0 54.1
Averagerelative humidity(%) 71.0 69.8 57.5 63.9 62.6 57.3 56.0 57.4 59.5 66.1 71.0 72.0 64.5
Source 1:Hellenic National Meteorological Service[45]
Source 2: NOAA[46]

Geology[edit]

Petrified forest of Lesbos

The entire territory of Lesbos is "LesvosGeopark",which is a member of theEuropean Geoparks Network(since 2000) andGlobal Geoparks Network(since 2004) on account of its outstanding geological heritage, educational programs and projects, and promotion ofgeotourism.[47]

This geopark was enlarged from former "Lesvos Petrified Forest Geopark". Lesbos contains one of the few knownpetrified forests,called thePetrified forest of Lesbos,and it has been declared aProtected Natural Monument.Fossilised plants have been found in many localities on the western parts of the island. The fossilised forest was formed during the LateOligoceneto Lower–MiddleMiocene,as determined by the intensevolcanic activityin the area. Neogenevolcanic rocksdominate the central and western part of the island, comprisingandesites,dacitesandrhyolites,ignimbrite,pyroclastics,tuffs,andvolcanic ash.The products of the volcanic activity covered thevegetationof the area and thefossilizationprocess took place during favourable conditions. The fossilized plants are silicified remnants of asub-tropicalforest that existed on the northwest part of the island 20–15 million years ago.

Landmarks[edit]

The church ofSaint Theraponin Mytilene by night

Endangered sites[edit]

Twelve historic churches on the island were listed together on the 2008World Monuments Fund'sWatch List of the 100 Most Endangered Sitesin the world. The churches date from the Early Christian Period to the 19th century. Exposure to the elements, outmoded conservation methods, and increased tourism are all threats to the structures. The following are the 12 churches:[49]

  • Katholikon of Moni Perivolis
  • Early Christian Basilica Agios Andreas Eressos
  • Early Christian Basilica Afentelli Eressos
  • Church of Agios Stephanos Mantamados
  • Katholikon of Moni Taxiarchon Kato Tritos
  • Katholikon of Moni Damandriou Polichnitos
  • Metamorphosi Soteros Church in Papiana
  • Church of Agios Georgios Anemotia
  • Church of Agios Nikolaos Petra
  • Monastery of Ipsilou
  • Church of Agios Ioannis Kerami
  • Church of Taxiarchon Vatousa

Administration[edit]

Lesbos is a separateregional unitof theNorth Aegeanregion. Since 2019, it consists of twomunicipalities:MytileneandWest Lesbos.[50]Between the 2011Kallikratis government reformand 2019, there was one single municipality on the island: Lesbos, created out of the 13 former municipalities on the island. At the same reform, the regional unit Lesbos was created out of part of the formerLesbos Prefecture.[51]

Plomari
Mithymna
Skala ofEresos-Antissa

The municipality of Mytilene consists of the following municipal units (former municipalities):

The municipality of West Lesbos consists of the following municipal units:

Economy[edit]

The building of the former Lesbos Prefecture, and now of the Lesbos Regional Unit
A bottle ofOuzo Plomariof Lesbos

The economy of Lesbos is essentiallyagricultural,witholive oilbeing the main source ofincome.Tourism inMytilene,encouraged by its international airport and the coastal towns ofPetra,Plomari,MolyvosandEresos,contributes substantially to the island's economy.Fishingand themanufactureofsoapandouzo,the Greek nationalliqueur,are the remaining sources of income.

Migrants[edit]

Further information:Pagani Detention Center

Due to its proximity to the Turkish mainland, Lesbos is one of the Greek islands most affected by theEuropean migrant crisisthat started in 2015.Refugees of the Syrian Civil Warcame to the island in multiple vessels every day.[52]As of June 2018, 8,000 refugees were trapped when a deal between Europe and Turkey removed their route to the continent in 2016.[clarification needed]After that, living conditions deteriorated and the possibility of movement to Europe dimmed.Moria Refugee Campwas the largest of the refugee camps and held twice as many people as it was designed to accommodate.[53]By May 2020, Moria had 17,421 refugees living there.[36]

On 9 September 2020, thousands of migrants fled from the overcrowded Moria camp after a fire broke out. At least 25 firefighters, with 10 engines, were battling the flames both inside and outside the facility.[54]A smaller-scale facility, thePikpa campcatered for a segment of the refugee population until its closure in October 2020, whereupon the occupants were transferred to the "old"Kara Tepe Refugee Camp.[55]

The Greek government maintains that the fires were started deliberately by migrants protesting that the camp had been put in lockdown due to aCOVID-19outbreak amongst the migrants in the camp. On 16 September 2020, four Afghan men were formally charged with arson for allegedly starting the fire.[56]Two other migrants, both aged 17, which is below the age of full adult criminal responsibility in Greece, were also allegedly involved in starting the fire, and were held in police detention on the mainland.[57]

After the closure of the Moria camp, atemporary facilitywas rapidly set up at Kara Tepe.[58]The Greek government announced in November 2020 that a new closed reception centre will be built in the Vastria area near Nees Kydonies, on the border between Mytilene and Western Lesbos, and will be completed by late 2021.[59]

Culture[edit]

Cuisine[edit]

Honey from Lesbos
Ladotyri Mytilinis

Local specialties:

In popular culture[edit]

Sports[edit]

The main football clubs in the island areAiolikos F.C., Kalloni F.C.and Sappho Lesvou F.C.

Media[edit]

Radio[edit]

Frequency Name On air since Description
87.5 MHz Radio Kalloni 1996 News,talkandGreek music
88.2 MHz Love Mitilini 2003 Easy listening
90.0 MHz Radio Mitilini 1989 Greekpop and rock music (formerly broadcast on 107.6)
91.6 MHz Rythmos Radio 2005 Greekpop music
92.3 MHz First Programme 1938 National; news andtalk;first station ofGreek state radio
92.8 MHz Aeolos FM 92,8 1989 Greeklaïko-rebetiko-éntekhnomusic
93.2 MHz Astra FM 93,2 2000 Greek music
93.3 MHz Foni tis Ecclesias 2000 Orthodoxreligious radio; rebroadcasting withEcclesia FM 89,5
93.6 MHz Intro Radio Lesvos 2021 Amateur radiowithGreekpop music; located fromPolichnitos
94.3 MHz Second Programme 1952 National;Greek music;second station ofGreek state radio
96.5 MHz ERT Aegean 1989 News andtalk;Local station ofGreek state radio
96.8 MHz Minore FM 96,8 1985 Greek music:Pop musicandDance music
97.2 MHz Third Programme 1954 National; classical music; third station ofGreek state radio
97.6 MHz Local 9,72 Mitilini 1990 News,talkand music
98.6 MHz Best FM Lesvos 1992 Greekand foreign music
99.0 MHz Sto Nisi 99 FM 2019 News andtalk
99.4 MHz ERT Aegean 1989 News andtalk;Local station ofGreek state radio
99.8 MHz SKAI Aegean 2009 News andtalk
101.5 MHz Slam 101.5 2019 Foreign music
103.0 MHz ERT Aegean 1989 News andtalk;Local station ofGreek state radio
104.4 MHz ERT Aegean 1989 News andtalk;Local station ofGreek state radio
104.8 MHz Peiraiki Ecclesia 1988 Orthodoxreligious radio station by theChurch ofPiraeus
105.8 MHz Peiraiki Ecclesia 1988 Orthodoxreligious radio station by theChurch ofPiraeus
105.9 MHz ERT Aegean 1989 News andtalk;Local station ofGreek state radio
Second Programme 1952 National;Greek music;second station ofGreek state radio
106.4 MHz Third Programme 1954 National; classical music; third station ofGreek state radio
106.9 MHz SKAI Aegean 2009 News andtalk
107.4 MHz Peiraiki Ecclesia 1988 Orthodoxreligious radio station by theChurch ofPiraeus
107.7 MHz Radio Kalloni 1996 News,talkandGreek music
107.9 MHz ERA Sport 1993 National;sportsandtalk;fourth station ofGreek state radio

TV[edit]

A regional television station operates from the city of Mytilene; Aeolos TV.[61]

Newspapers[edit]

The main printed newspapers of the city areEmpros,Ta Nea tis Lesvou,andDimokratis.Online newspapers includeAeolos,[61]Stonisi,[62]Emprosnet,[63]Lesvosnews,[64]Lesvospost,[65]andKalloninews.[66]

Notable residents[edit]

The Nobel Prize winner in Literature, poetOdysseas Elytis(Alepoudellis) was from Lesbos

Gallery[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ab"Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό"[Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
  2. ^"Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)"(PDF)(in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 21 September 2015.
  3. ^Harper, Douglas."lesbian".Online Etymology Dictionary.
  4. ^Beckman, Gary; Bryce, Trevor; Cline, Eric (2012).The Ahhiyawa Texts.Society of Biblical Literature. pp. 140, 144.ISBN978-1589832688.
  5. ^Gander, Max (2017). "The West: Philology".Hittite Landscape and Geography.Brill. pp. 273–274.
  6. ^Kelder, Jorrit M. (2010).The Kingdom of Mycenae: A Great Kingdom in the Late Bronze Age Aegean.Pennsylvania State University Press.ISBN978-1-934309-27-8.
  7. ^abcdeMason, Hugh (2008). "Hittite Lesbos?". In Collins, Billie Jean; Bachvarova, Mary; Rutherford, Ian (eds.).Anatolian Interfaces: Hittites, Greeks, and their Neighbours.Oxbow Books.
  8. ^Price, Roberto Salinas (2006).Homeric Whispers: Intimations of Orthodoxy in the Iliad and Odyssey.Scylax Press. p. 55.ISBN978-0-910865-11-1.
  9. ^Harper, Douglas."lesbian".Online Etymology Dictionary.
  10. ^"Lesbos locals lose lesbian appeal".news.bbc.co.uk.Greeks often refer to the island as Mytilene, after its capital.
  11. ^Ράπτης, Γεώργιος Α. (1993). "Λεξικό Ορθογραφικό-Ερμηνευτικό Της Αρχαίας Ελληνικής Γλώσσας". Εκδόσεις Κοντέος. p. 351.
  12. ^Babiniotis, Georgios.(2002) "Mytilene". In: "Babiniotis Dictionary"2nd ed. p. 1159.
  13. ^"Lesvos is known as the" Island of Poets "".Welcome To Lesvos.Retrieved15 April2024.
  14. ^"Λέσβος: Το νησί των ποιητών, του ούζου και της φιλοξενίας".News.gr.17 July 2018.Retrieved28 October2022.
  15. ^Harissis H.; Durand P.; Axiotis M.; Harissis T. (2000)."Traces of Paleolithic settlement in Lesbos".Archaiologia Kai Technes:76:83–87 (article in Greek with English abstract).
  16. ^Beckman, Gary; Bryce, Trevor; Cline, Eric (2012).The Ahhiyawa Texts.Society of Biblical Literature. pp. 143–144.ISBN978-1589832688.
  17. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrsKiel, Machiel (2005)."Midilli".TDV Encyclopedia of Islam, Vol. 30 (Misra – Muhammedi̇yye)(in Turkish). Istanbul:Turkiye Diyanet Foundation,Centre for Islamic Studies. pp. 11–14.ISBN978-975-389-402-9.
  18. ^"Sappho and Alcaeus".The Walters Art Museum.
  19. ^Harissis, H. 2017. 'The location of the euripus of Pyrrha in the works of Aristotle and Strabo'. Acta Classica 60.
  20. ^abcdefghiGregory, Timothy E. (1991). "Lesbos". InKazhdan, Alexander(ed.).The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium.Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press. p. 1219.ISBN0-19-504652-8.
  21. ^abcdefghijSoucek, S. (1991)."Midilli".InBosworth, C. E.;van Donzel, E.&Pellat, Ch.(eds.).The Encyclopaedia of Islam, Second Edition.Volume VI: Mahk–Mid.Leiden: E. J. Brill. pp. 1035–1037.ISBN978-90-04-08112-3.
  22. ^Yılmaz, Gülay (1 December 2015)."The Devshirme System and the Levied Children of Bursa in 1603-4".Belleten(in Turkish).79(286): 901–930.doi:10.37879/belleten.2015.901.ISSN0041-4255.
  23. ^Επίτομη Ιστορία,p. 121.
  24. ^Επίτομη Ιστορία,pp. 122–123.
  25. ^Επίτομη Ιστορία,p. 123–124.
  26. ^Επίτομη Ιστορία,p. 125.
  27. ^Hall 2000,pp. 71, 101–102.
  28. ^"Lesvos Statue of Asia Minor Mother".Greeka.Retrieved23 December2022.
  29. ^Tomasevich 1975,pp. 52–53.
  30. ^Richter 1998,p. 616.
  31. ^"History of Lesvos".Aegeanvacation.Retrieved23 December2022.
  32. ^"History of Lesvos island".Greeka.Retrieved23 December2022.
  33. ^"The Nobel Prize in Literature 1979".NobelPrize.org.Retrieved22 September2020.
  34. ^abZikakou, Ioanna (3 July 2016)."Tourist Arrivals on Greek Island of Lesvos Drop by 65%".Greek Reporter.Retrieved2 January2022.
  35. ^abcdefgValery, Chantal (28 May 2019)."Lesbos keen to woo back tourists after migration crisis".The Jakarta Post.Retrieved17 June2022.
  36. ^abValery, Chantal (27 May 2020)."Greece ready to welcome tourists as refugees stay locked down in Lesbos".The Guardian.Retrieved17 June2022.
  37. ^"Greece to Spend €2m to Promote Chios, Lesvos, Kos, Leros and Samos".Headlines: Greek Travel Pages.26 April 2022.Retrieved27 October2022.
  38. ^abc"Lesvos Takes Steps to Enter Cruise Market".Headlines: Greek Travel Pages.25 October 2022.Retrieved27 October2022.
  39. ^"lesbian".Dictionary Unabridged.Retrieved14 February2017.
  40. ^Carolyn, Bain; Clark, Michael; Hannigan, Des (2004).Greece.Lonely Planet.pp.568–570.ISBN1-74059-470-3.
  41. ^Harissis et al. 'A Palaeolithic site on Lesbos island, Greece'. "Αρχαιολογία και Τέχνες" (Archaeology & Arts) 2000;76:83–87, Article in Greek
  42. ^"Lesbos".Archived fromthe originalon 21 September 2010.
  43. ^"The Petrified Forest of Lesvos, A Unique Natural Monument Recording the Evolutionary Process of Life on Earth".UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. Archived fromthe originalon 5 June 2010.
  44. ^Γιώργος Λιάλιος."Ανεκμετάλλευτος θησαυρός τα πτηνά για τη Λέσβο".kathimerini.gr.Retrieved4 January2024.
  45. ^"HNMS".hnms.gr.Archived fromthe originalon 16 December 2010.Retrieved3 April2011.
  46. ^"MITILINI Climate Normals 1961–1990".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.Retrieved29 January2013.
  47. ^"Global Geoparks in Greece (UNESCO)"(PDF).Retrieved11 March2023.
  48. ^"The World of Ouzo (Ouzo Museum) - by Ouzo Plomari".theworldofouzo.gr.
  49. ^Churches Of Lesvosaccessed 31 July 2014
  50. ^"Τροποποίηση του άρθρου 1 του ν. 3852/2010"[Amendment of Article 1 of l. 3852/2010] (in Greek).Government Gazette.p. 1164.
  51. ^"ΦΕΚ A 87/2010, Kallikratis reform law text"(in Greek).Government Gazette.
  52. ^Tony Hemmings; Bill Neely (13 August 2015)."Migrants Crisis: Refugees Attempt to Reach Greek Island of Lesbos".NBCNews.Retrieved2 July2019.
  53. ^"After Fleeing War, Refugee Children Face Lasting Psychological Trauma".nationalgeographic. 20 June 2018. Archived fromthe originalon 1 October 2019.Retrieved2 July2019.(subscription)
  54. ^"Lesbos refugee camp fire forces thousands to evacuate".The Guardian.Retrieved8 September2020.
  55. ^The eviction of Pikpa Open Refugee CampLesvos solidarity December 2020 Newsletter,accessed 25 May 2021
  56. ^"Afghan Migrants Charged With Arson in Fires that Destroyed Lesbos Camp".The New York Times.16 September 2020.Retrieved26 September2020.
  57. ^"Afghans Charged With Arson For Fire At Lesbos Camp".The Washington Post.16 September 2020.
  58. ^"Lesvos reacts angrily to plans for new immigrant structure".greekcitytimes.2 April 2021.Retrieved24 May2021.
  59. ^"Λέσβος / Ετοιμάζουν κλειστή δομή για τους πρόσφυγες στη Βάστρια".Αυγή(in Greek). 30 November 2020.Retrieved16 December2020.
  60. ^Loveridge 2018-10-09T10:50:17ZPS4, Sam."How to find and beat the Assassin's Creed Odyssey Medusa".gamesradar.Retrieved9 February2019.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  61. ^ab"Aeolos TV".Aeolos TV.Retrieved11 March2023.
  62. ^"ΣτοΝησί.gr".Στο Νησί.Retrieved11 March2023.
  63. ^"Emprosnet".
  64. ^"Lesvosnews.net | Ειδήσεις και νέα της Μυτιλήνης - Λέσβου".Lesvosnews.net.Retrieved11 March2023.
  65. ^"LesvosPost | ΕΙΔΗΣΕΙΣ & ΝΕΑ ΤΗΣ ΛΕΣΒΟΥ".Retrieved11 March2023.
  66. ^"kalloninews".

Works cited[edit]

  • Hall, Richard C. (2000).The Balkan Wars, 1912–1913: Prelude to the First World War.London: Routledge.ISBN0-415-22946-4.
  • Richter, Heinz A. (1998).Greece in World War II(in Greek). transl by Kostas Sarropoulos. Athens: Govostis.ISBN978-960-270-789-0.
  • Tomasevich, Jozo (1975).War and Revolution in Yugoslavia, 1941–1945: The Chetniks.Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.ISBN978-0-8047-0857-9.
  • Επίτομη Ιστορία των Βαλκανικών Πολέμων 1912-1913[Concise History of the Balkan Wars 1912–1913]. Athens: Hellenic Army General Staff, Army History Directorate. 1987.OCLC51846788.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toLesbos.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lesbos&oldid=1235079790"