The recent discovery of fossilised prehistoric fauna and fish which were excavated in the area of Vatera proves that the history of Lesvos goes back two million years. Tusks and skeletons of giant mastodons have been found as well as fossilized bones of ancient horses, camels, rhinoceros, and a tortoise the size of a small car. One of the most startling discoveries is that of a family of giant apes of the Paradolichopithecus family, the oldest found in Europe. Part of these findings are exhibited at the Natural History Museum in Vrisa.

Lesvos is also mentioned in the Homeric epics. During the early years of the Trojan War, Achilles attacked the island many times. During one of these invasions along the south coast, he captured the beautiful Vrysiida and went into a rage when Agamemnon took her from him. Later he went on to build the ancient Vrisa, to the west of the present day Vatera to honour her. A relic from his stay in Lesvos is the Achilles well, to be seen on the way to Agios Focas. Homer also mentions that the seven women whom Agamemnon offered to Achilles to appease him were from Lesvos and they “surpassed in beauty the entire race of women”.

At the cape of St.Focas, high up on the rock face you will find the remains of the Temple of Dionysus  (1^st Century B.C.) next to the small Christian chapel of St.Focas, which was constructed from its relics. 

Mythological accounts say that the island took its name from the brother-in-law of Makaras, Lesvos. Another account says there was a town on the island called Lesvos and the island got the name from there. This town was most probably located in the area of Lisvori, where important pre-historic ruins have been found on the Kourtir headland on the bay of Kaloni (further on from the present day harbour of Skamniudi). Excavations at this site have proven that Kourtir is the second known settlement of the Pre-Aeolic period. Archaeological findings from this site (5^th Century B.C.) are exhibited at the Archaeological Museum in Mytilini. 

In 1960 the Archaeologist Charitonidis established that the ancient settlement of Chalakies (located at the western pointed end between Skala Polichnitos and Nyfida, inside the Gulf of Kalloni) is the oldest known settlement of Lesvos, chronologically attributed to the Copper Period and quite possibly the Neolithic Period. The archaeological findings at the plain of Perivola (located at the back of the Chalakies settlement), indicate the existence of a Paleo-Christian Basilica of the 5^th Century B.C.

On all three sites, surface findings indicate the merging of several chronological periods, from 320 B.C. to the Palaeo-Christian to Byzantine times.

From Skamniudi to Achladeri is the site of Ancient Pyrra, considered to be one of the six major towns – states of Lesvos, with its very own minted coins. Over the years several attempts at archaeological excavations and cartography (Boelau, Bucholz, & Koldewey) were made, but nothing systematic enough. Nevertheless the remains of the walls of the Acropolis (Achaean Period) as well as other buildings on the hill of the Acropolis (8th Century B.C.) are still visible. According to the writings of Stravon the Geographer, Ancient Pyrra was destroyed, possibly by an earthquake. Archaeological findings from the area are exhibited at the Archaeological Museum in Mytilini.

Another reminder of a bygone age is located between Vatera and Vrisa: Paliopyrgos, a small castle build in 1355 – 1375 A.C., on top of a small hill, probably owned by an important dignitary/ land owner of the Gateluzan Period. It is considered very likely to be the only physical evidence of the old Byzantine Vrisa. The Gateluzan coat of arms is engraved in a build-in slab. When the castle was constructed the four bottom corners of the castle were intentionally removed to precipitate its fall, if it was ever captured by the enemy. Ironically the castle walls remain upright today.

Place to Visit: The Natural History Museum in Vrisa CLICK FOR MORE INFO