Molyvos and Petra Lesvos, two coastal settlements with a cosmopolitan air

PENCIL or MYTH

Pencil : from the Frankish word mhave olives (Mountain of olive trees), due to the cultivation of olives or according to another version from lead deposits, result of the volcanic activity of the island. THE Pencil is located 62 km ΒΔ. of Of Mytilene and belongs to, like the stone, in the Municipality of West Lesvos https://www.mwlesvos.gr (geographically in North Lesvos). The island of Lesvos belongs to its islands North Aegean.

Mythimna : was one of the daughters of the mythical king Makara ( 1^The^s inhabitant of the island), who married the Thessalian hero Lesvos or for others, the mythical hero Lepetymno. Traditional settlement, amphitheatrically built, with its mansions 18^th c., stone houses, flower yards, ottoman fountains, Cobbled streets with typical black stone and salkimi (bunches), the purple flowers of the wisteria plant that cover the alleys in spring, and on the hill the Byzantine dominates Castle.

Source : https://foreasmolyvou.gr

The Castle is built in its place Acropolis of Ancient Mithymna (8^th– 1^th B.C. c.), which was one of the most important city-states of Lesvos. It was rebuilt, with several additions, during the hegemony of the Genoese Gatelouzon (1355-1462), and then by them Ottomans who occupied the island (1462-1912). It dominates the top of a volcanic structure, with nice views of the Aegean and impressive columnar lava formations, Steve. side (openly : daily except Monday, 8 am-3 p.m., tel. : 22530 71803).
Among the sights of Molyvos are also Ottoman baths, monument (in the central market), the Conference Center (in the old mosque), or Public history Library (tel. : 22530 71240, 22530 71313), the house where the writer lived Argyris Eftaliotis (Pencil 1849-1923) turned into Primary Gallery Μήθυμνας, with works by old and contemporary artists and two drawings by Giannoulis Halepas (tel. : 2253071323, 6947174563, 6983611849),
the Mansion King, with frescoes 18^th c., its annex today School of Fine Arts, or Archaeological Collection of Mithymna (at the old Town Hall), its churches St. Panteleimon (In the center) and Saint Nicola's (the harbor).
In the Mολυβο the writer lived Elias Venezis (Ayvalik 1904-Athens 1973) by tomb of being in Molyvos Cemetery, anonymous, with only the inscription "Serenity», as well as his award-winning novel "Peace" (1937) referring to refugees from Asia Minor.
In her church Saint Theoctist of Μυθημναίας, it becomes a big religious festival (28-29 July) and offer for free (today, at 29 July) the "kisket», the traditional sweet of the festivals (ground chickpeas, wheat and meat).
THE Pencil, is a cosmopolitan settlement with intense tourist traffic. You will find many cafes and bars, on the roofs of old mansions, but also in Castle, the café-bar Byzantino, with the most beautiful sunset of the island.

Source : https://foreasmolyvou.gr

In the port of Molyvos, with boats and taverns, you will taste fish appetizers along with the most famous ouzo in the country, the Ouzo of Mytilene. Try sun-dried octopus barbeque, «sprat»(salted Kalloni sardine), «pill» (salted, marinated or fried anchovies), «emerald» (salted, grilled or fried pudding), lacquer, «γυουζλεμέδες» (cheese pies), zucchini flowers, «knives» (onion onions) and of course ladotyri and gruyere Of Mytilene.

From here the view to the illuminated Castle, which is visible to the coast of Turkey, it is great.

PENCIL - BEACHES

Paralia of Molyvos, within the settlement. Small in width, organised, with large black pebbles on the shore and fine gravel at the bottom and cold crystal clear waters.

source : https://foreasmolyvou.gr

Paralia Psyriara, N. of Molyvos to Petra. Organised, with hotel umbrellas and sunbeds «Dolphins», but also trees for shade. Access is from the hotel as the beach is not visible from the road.

source : https://foreasmolyvou.gr

Eftalou beach, 4 km northeast. of Molyvos. In the nearby village Eftalous, you will find a large beach with plenty of cold water and black pebbles. Its thermal springs are also known in Eftalou, one of the most radioactive on the island, ideal for rheumatism, arthritis, neuralgia etc.. (temperature 43,6^The – 46,5^The C).

CULTURAL EVENTS- FESTIVAL

THE Molyvos Tourism Agency has posted signs with details and information of the settlement, points of interest, hiking and cycling routes etc., https://foreasmolyvou.gr and to https://www.theotheraegean.com.

During the summer months, in the Castle events and concerts take place, in the alleys of the settlement, bradishes Kαντάδας, while at the square and the port, dances by the members of the Cultural Association of Traditional Dances "O Molyvos".

International Molyvos Music Festival (ΔιΦεΜΜ) is a 4-day classical music, with young and renowned musicians, done after 15 August.
Arion International Guitar Festival, in early August, with concerts mainly in the courtyard of Molyvos City Hall, as the guitarist came from Molyvos Arion (information : http://www.arionfestival.com).
Lesvos Food Fest, mid-July, A similar event is held in Molyvos as part of the Lesvos Gastronomy Festival (information : www.lesvosfoodfest.com)
International Festival Wellness Pencil, the 2^or week of September, 4day events that include yoga, meditation, walk in nature, horseback riding (information : https://foreasmolyvou.gr and https://euphoria-lesvos.com).
International Mountain Biking Races, LESVOS – MOLYVOS URBAN MTB, beginning of June. It includes cycling in the surrounding mountain villages and a cycling tour in the alleys of the settlement (information : www.molyvosmtb.com).
International Mountain Road Race, in October, in the wider area of Lepetymnos, www.lesvostrail.eu.
Lost Treasure Hunt Pencil, February, from Molyvos Tourism Agency

PENCIL – ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES

Pguidance at Molyvos reservoir, Stan. settlement, ideal area for bird watching.
Hiking on a passable dirt road

In the wider area there are mapped 11 walking and 4 hiking trails (information – route maps: Molyvos Tourism Agency).

Archaeological Walk in Mollyβο

Includes a tour of the archaeological excavations within the settlement (maps in Molyvos Tourism Agency (Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., tel. : 22530 71 990, https://foreasmolyvou.gr).

Sightseeing tour of Molyvos-Petra with Village Train

The blue train departs from Molyvos (the main road, next to the parking lot) or from Petra (from the settlement field). You will see the port, Agios Nikolaos, the castle, and then crossing the coastal road you will reach the beach of Petra, under her rock «Our Lady Petras». The tour includes a tour in Greek and English and lasts 1 hour and 15 ' (4 €, in-train ticket). A second walk with Village Train is towards nearby beaches, where with an all-day ticket (7 €), you can get off the train, to swim as much as you want, and then go up again (tel. : 22530 72211, www.villagetrain.gr).

Boat rides

From Molyvos, you will be able to go boating to admire the sunset at sea or you can choose a boat with a glass bottom for touring the coast (information: travel agency lesvorama, in Molyvos : tel. : 22530 7229).

Bird watching, in place Kavaki, that is, in the land section between Pencil – Petras, famous for bird watching (B.C. αιγαιοτσιροβάκος, kokkinotsirovakos, bluebird etc.). For organized bird watching (spring Summer), tel. : 6972 809610, www.lesvosbirwatching.gr
Horseback riding, http://www.ipposmolyvos.com

PENCIL – NEARBY ESCAPES

In the mountain village Painter, 5 km Β. of Mollyβου, you will come for it sunset, good food and for the festival on 29 August Saint Johnthe Forerunner, just outside the village. From Dyehouse most start hiking trails to of the term Λεπέτυμνου, popular destination for hikers (maps can be found at Molyvos Tourism Agency). The Mount Lepetymnos belongs to Special Protection Zone (SPA), of the network NATURE 2000, with the name "North Lesvos", code. GR4110012.

The his volcano Thinu is the largest volcanic center of Lesvos. Inside the caldera, from volcanic eruptions, the hills were formed Lookout (968 m.), where there is also the outpost, and Prophet Elias (938 m.), the chapel (900 m.), on the plateau with antennas. Prophet Elias is approached from the village of Pelopi, where on the feast of the Saint, at 20 Pilgrims start in July on foot or on horses, for the top.

At the village Thin, 12 km from Molyvos, you will come for the feast of the Virgin Mary on 15 August.

In the village there is the Caryophyll Farm, a farm with animals for young and old with free access. You will see deer, ibex, wild sheep, freezing cold, pheasants, horses, donkeys etc to move freely and come in direct contact with children.

Aronia superfood is cultivated on the Farm (looks like a bilberry) and you can buy jams, drinks etc. (free entrance, openly : in the summer months daily, September-June only SK and hours : 10:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., tel. : 697 945 8991).

In the mountains Argen, 9 km from Molyvos, you will see his church St. George (1777) and Valletta Museum, the house where the philologist and researcher of the Greek language was born, George Valletas (1907-1989). In the Valletta Museum housed Museum of National Resistance and the Library of Lesbian Letters.

MARKETS

THE Mythimna Women's Cooperative "Pomegranate & Ear" has a shop with traditional products, like oil, olives, honey, cheeses, jams, beverages, macaroons, herbs etc but also a restaurant in the port of Molyvos. the famous Mr.ceramic and woodwork objects of Lesvos you will find them in most stores with souvenir.

STONE

Source : https://foreasmolyvou.gr

stone : from volcanic stone, height 40 m., Centrally located, on which is built the Panagia Glykofiloussa (1724).

source : https://foreasmolyvou.gr

The volcanic neck of Petra, as defined in the geotourist maps of the island, formed by lava ejected to the surface passing through a giant submarine tube fed by a volcanic chamber.

source : https://foreasmolyvou.gr

OR stone is located 55 km ΒΔ. of Mytilene and 6 km Ν. of Molyvos and belongs to Municipality of West Lesvos. It is connected by ferry to Turkey and ports stone –Koutsoukougiou (Kucukkuyu) and stone–Ayvalί (Ayvalik), (information : travel agency lesvorama, in Molyvos : tel. : 22530 7229). Traditional settlement with its mansions 19^th-20^th c., As the Mansion of Vareltzidaina (end 18^th-authorities 19^th ), with architectural elements of the late Ottoman period of the island (visitable, hours 8 am-3 p.m., except Monday, tel. : 22530 41510).

OR Panagia Glykofiloussa or "Virgin of Petras, is a protected monument. You will upload them 114 steps for the most beautiful sunset and to photograph the Gulf of Petra, with the islets, from above. celebrated on 15 August with a festival as offered to all the traditional "kisket».

Source : https://foreasmolyvou.gr

In its sights Petras also belongs to his church Saint Nicola's (17^th c.) with special murals. From stone the painter came from Orestis Kanellis (1910-1979).

STONE – beaches

Petra Beach, the settlement. Large sandy beach about a meter long 3 km, organised, with trees for shade.
Paralia Channel, N. of Petra, in a picturesque creek
Beach Inexpensives, 3 km from Petra
Settlement with a very popular beach, organised, with taverns and bars.
For sea tour and swimming on the nearby beaches, on the islets Theκμάκια, Aspronisia and on its islets Kof her Petras, (Saint George, Γλαρονήσι, Ant), you can rent a boat individually (no diploma required) or go organized (information : Rent Boat Lesvos, Pencil, tel. : 22530 41898, www.rentboatlesvos.com). On the island St. George (or Ai Giorgis), with the homonymous chapel, there is ecological observatory, for bird watching.

STONE – ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES

Hiking in the Trail of the Valley of the Watermills at Ligona. The path passes next to springs, where you will have the opportunity to see 17 medieval watermills, that until 1946 they ground the wheat, and ends at its stone Byzantine church Saint Alexander.

PETRA-RECENT ESCAPES

in Inexpensive you will come for a bath, food and for his celebration St. Panteleimon, at 27 July and "Anaxiotika", the summer events.
In the nearby mountain village Scout, over Anaxos, you will come for the architecture of the houses, the Assumption of Mary (1880) and Carpet School (its stone building 1909 which was once the elementary school).
In the mountain village Petri, 3 km Α. from Petra, you will come to admire her stone and Pencil from above. On a route below Petri you will find the source "Achilles well», that according to tradition Achilles watered his horse.
At the village Lafiona, ND. of Petra, her church stands out Assumption (1807).
at Squeezing, 7 km from Petra, you will see the churches Her sleep Virgin (1805) and Holy Threeάδα (1924).
Here you can buy extra virgin olive oil from local Olive oil Cooperative fsoaring.

USEFUL ADDRESSES -TELEPHONES

Municipality of West Lesvos, Patent. Mithymnas and D.E.. Petras, tel. : 22533 50200, https://www.mwlesvos.gr
Molyvos Tourism Agency, https://foreasmolyvou.gr
«The Other Aegean», https://www.theotheraegean.com
Municipality of Mytilene, https://www.mytilene.gr
Lesvos Intercity Bus Station, Agia Irini square 2, Mytilene, tel. : 22510 28873
TAXI Molyvou, tel. : (0030) 6980 399227, Thanasis Giakoumis and 6944 629518, Christos Tatas, www.taxi-molivos.com.
TAXI Petra, tel. : 22530 41222
TAXI Mytilene, tel. : 22510 23500, 22510 25900
Molyvos Health Center, tel. : 22530 71333
Petra Regional Clinic, tel. : 22530 41210
Mithymna Port Authority (Pencil), tel. : 22530 71307
Mytilene International Airport, tel. : 22510 38700-1, https://www.mjt-airport.gr (8,2 Km from Mytilene and 70 km from Molyvos).