Standing on seven green hills rooted in the heart of the
Aegean,
spreads the city of Mytilene with a history which begins in the third millennium
B.C.
Contemporary Mytilene with a population of thirty thousand is built
on the ruins of the ancient namesake city, the birthplace of leading intellectual
personalities throughout the centuries.
The greatest lyrical poets of all times were born here, Sapho (700-600
B.C.) and Alcaeos (640-560 B.C.) as well as Pittacos one of the Seven Sages of
antiquity.
The intellectual tradition continues to modern days with Odysseas
Elytis (1911-1996) winner of the 1979 Nobel Prize for literature.
A walk through the picturesque neighbourhoods, the Promenade and the
traditional commercial street (Hermou) from the Ancient Port in Epano Skala to
Kioski and Sourada will convince the visitor of the warm hospitality of the natives
and he will admire the exquisite, preserved historical Mansions of various architectural
styles.
The city is adorned with imposing churches, most distinguishing among
them the
Metropolis
Cathedral with the 33m. gothic steeple built in the 17th century and the domed
church of St. Therapon
(1880).
Of much interest is the
Monastery
of St. Rafael just 12Klm. from Mytilene nesteled in the olive groves of Karyes,
Thermi.
Mytilene is the headquarters of the
Ministry
of the Aegean and the
University
of the Aegean. The city has an
international
airport and harbour which connect the island with
Athens,
Peraeus,
Thessaloniki,
Volos,
Kavala,
Alexandroupoli and the islands
of
Limnos,
Chios,
Samos,
Icaria,
Kos,
Rhodes,
Crete, e.t.c.
This text (extract) is cited June 2003 from the Tourism Committee Municipality
of Mytilini tourist pamphlet.
