Lemnos

The archaeological sites of Lemnos are considered as the most important at the Greek and European levels and will get the attention and the interest of any traveller.

HEPHAESTIA

The largest city of Lemnos for 22 centuries!
The city that was dedicated to the god-patron of metallurgy, Hephaestus, is built on a peninsula formed by two natural harbours.
The archaeological excavations have revealed houses, cemeteries, baths, wells, a great number of objects, a theatre of the Hellenistic period, the temple of the Great Goddess and a huge building (probably the palace and the labyrinth of Lemnos under Pliny).

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The active volcano of the island was the cause to connect the Lemnos with Hephaestus, the god-patron of metallurgy. According to the myth, Hephaestus taught the art of metallurgy to the inhabitants while there was an underground laboratory at the depth of the island, where Hephaestus and his assistants manufactured metal masterpieces.

THE SANCTUARY OF THE KAVEIRIES

The Kaveiries, deities of the underground fire and metallurgy, are referred to as children of Hephaestus and Kaveiro.
The sanctuary of the Kaveiries hold mysterious rites associated with the rebirth of nature and fertility.
In the sanctuary, relics have survived from the ancient Telesterion, an underground gallery, a palace and a Telesterion from the Hellenistic period.

POLIOCHNI

Poliochni, in the place named Kaminia, is considered as one of the oldest settlements in the Aegean Sea. It is also known by the name Eptapolis as the excavations uncovered seven successive settlements built one on the foundations of another.

CASTLE OF MYRINA

Built in the early 12th century on the ancient pelagic walls, the castle of Myrina dominates the city and separates the Roman from the Turkish coast. Its current form was acquired during the Venetian period.
Today, goats and dears of the platoni kind, who moved here from Rhodes a few decades ago, live in the ruins.
Do not forget to tour the castle, to admire the wonderful view and the sunset and take a stroll on the Roman shore, the coastal road with the manors.

CASTLE OF KOTSINA

The medieval castle of Kotsina was a key control point of the maritime route towards Constantinople, which started quarrels between Byzantines, Venetians and Ottomans for its possession.