Culture of Lemnos. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

The main value of Lemnos is historic Christian temples and unique archaeological areas in which researchers discovered traces of ancient settlements. Each city and each village has its own unique historical symbols. An ancient Venetian fortress has been preserved in the capital of Lemnos, the city of Μύρινα. It is located in an incredibly picturesque place between two bays. It was built during the period of Venetian rule to protect the coastal territory. The old fortress has survived many bloody battles, however, it is well preserved to this day. Today, it is an important historical symbol and cultural center. Historical holidays are regularly held on the fortress' grounds. It would be interesting to visit the attraction in the evening when it is spectacularly illuminated.

The Taxiarchis Church, one of the most revered Christian monuments of the island, has been preserved in the town of Μούδρος. Every year on March 25, pilgrims from all over the world flock to this church to celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation. On a festive day, the divine service is particularly magnificent here. The ancient church has preserved many original design elements so it is very valuable from an architectural point of view. Not far from the church is such a valuable historic site as the old Cossack cemetery, which has undergone reconstruction recently.

One of the most interesting archaeological areas in Lemnos is Poliokhni. Here, researchers discovered one of the earliest Neolithic settlements in Europe. The large town was located here more than 5,000 years ago. Today, the archaeological area has a small museum and is available for tours. It keeps artifacts that belong to the prehistoric era. Since the discovery of the settlement, research has been continuously ongoing here. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

In the northern part of the island is the medieval fortress Kotsinos, which has also managed to survive since its construction. It stands right on the coast, offering a magnificent view of the sea. Indigenous people tell many beautiful legends about these picturesque places. According to one of them, it was here that the forge of Hephaestus was located in ancient times.

Hiking enthusiasts should head to the village of Sardes, the highest settlement of Lemnos. The village was founded on the top of a hill where old buildings have been perfectly preserved till this day. Most of the buildings are over 200 years old. Today, old houses are occupied by interesting taverns, shops, and craft workshops. Walking along the old streets, one can find several natural observation points offering wonderful views of the island. The main historical symbol of the village is the old cathedral in which valuable Christian artifacts are stored.

Near the village of Zemat is the Panagia Kakaviotissa Church, which is considered one of the most spectacular on the island. It is an amazing cave church dating back to the early 14th century. More than 700 years ago, the church was built in an impassable cave, which was not easy to reach. These places are now protected by sheer cliffs so a trip to the church promises to be an unforgettable adventure. It is noteworthy that the church was built in the cave with incredibly narrow passages by hand, which makes it a unique religious monument. Within its ancient walls is a collection of ancient icons and other religious artifacts.

The village of Fisini is another important historical area where the ancient Agiu Sozond Church can be found. It is of great interest in itself, as it has remained virtually unchanged since its construction. Beautiful holidays and services are held in this temple every year. It is also notable for the fact that right next to the temple one can see the ruins of ancient settlements. Stone houses were built here thousands of years ago but unfortunately, many of them were destroyed by conquerors.

Local residents dismantled the surviving parts of antique buildings in order to build new houses. Nevertheless, part of the foundations and other fragments of the building have been preserved. The temple and the archaeological area around it are located on a small hill offering a wonderful view of the coast. Fans of excursions would be interested in absolutely any area of Lemnos. Beautiful historic architecture has been preserved in each city and settlement. Tourists can see unique temples and stroll through archaeological areas where large cities existed thousands of years ago.