Lesvos Geopark

Lesvos has a unique wealth of geological monuments and landscapes of natural beauty, habitats and cultural monuments which have contributed to its recognition and inclusion in the Global Geoparks Network of UNESCO.

In its western part, the Petrified Forest dominates, a unique piece of geological history, which has been declared a “Preservable Monument of Nature”. Lesvos is scattered with a multitude of geological monuments and landforms of unique value and importance. Some of them are impressive volcanoes, hot springs, important fossil sites, large geological faults, waterfalls, coastal landforms that are important evidence of geological history that testify to the evolution of the Aegean basin.

The island of Lesvos, in addition to the important geological monuments, is also characterized by a particular biodiversity and richness of ecosystems, which is demonstrated by the presence of areas included in the European Network “Natura 2000” and in particular 3 areas that have been recognized as Sites of Community Importance (SCS): “Petrified Forest-Western Peninsula”, “Kalloni Bay Wetlands” and “Geras Bay and Mount Olympus” and 6 areas that have been recognized as Special Protection Areas (SPA).

Sites of Community Importance (Special Conservation Zones)

• Western Peninsula –Petrified Forest

• Gulf of Kalloni & Coastal Land Zone

• Gulf of Gera, the Dipi Marsh & Mount Olympus

Special Protection Areas (SPA)

• Coastal Wetlands in the Gulf of Kalloni

• Islets of Lesvos (Tomaronisia, Kydonas, Agios Georgios, Glaronisi etc.)

• Southwest Peninsula, Lesvos Petrified Forest

• Mount Olympus of Lesvos

• North Lesvos

• Gulf of Gera, Marsh of Dipi and Haramida

In Lesvos you can find prehistoric and historical archaeological monuments, medieval castles and fortresses, Byzantine monasteries and traditional settlements with intense architectural interest that take the visitor to another era.

The rich architectural heritage is linked to the utilization of local building materials that refer to the geological heritage and natural environment of Lesvos.

Lesvos is the birthplace of important culture heritage, such as the poetess Sappho, the philosopher Theophrastus, the poet Alkaios, the philosopher Pittakos, Terpandros the musician, but also of the younger writers Stratis Myrivilis, Ilias Venezis, Argiris Eftaliotis, Asimakis Panselinos and the Nobel laureate poet of the Aegean Odysseas Elytis.

Painting is represented by artists such as G. Iakovides, A. Protopatsis, Or. Kanellis, F. Kontoglou, V. Ithakisios, S. Axiotis, T. Eleftheriadis, the great popular painter Theofilos Hatzimichael and the inspired technical critic and publisher Stratis Eleftheriadis Teriade.

The Lesvos Geopark through its actions highlights the elements of the geological, natural and cultural heritage and gives visitors the opportunity to get to know and visit a rich network of geosites and habitats, archaeological sites and monuments, a variety of museums, to participate in a multitude of excursions and activities in nature, in educational programs, in marine activities, cultural events and festivals, in tasting events but also to hike in the unique primeval natural environment where Aristotle and Theophrastus walked.