An impressive volcanic dome, the hill of Prophet Ilias Parakoilon, with an altitude of 800 meters, is the highest peak of the Western peninsula of Lesvos. It is located west of the Gulf of Kalloni between the two volcanic craters of Vatoussa and Agra. It is a volcanic structure that was created during the latest phase of volcanic activity in Lesvos 17 million years ago and is composed of silicified lavas.
Its creation is associated with the rise of magma with an acidic composition, which erupted after the great volcanic eruption of the Vatousa caldera. The magma moved at a slow speed, clouding the older volcanic rocks and creating a giant dome. The magma cooled and solidified at a relatively shallow depth.The silicified lavas create acidic soils that favor the presence of many rare plants such as the yellow rhododendron, which grows only in the area of Prophet Ilias Parakoila in wet places, such as stream banks, in trachea or black pine forests, and an altitude of 60 to 760 m . The rhododendron is found in small groups consisting of a few individuals, thus meeting the criteria for its inclusion in the category “vulnerability”, according to the IUCN. The rhododendron is protected by PD 67/81 and is included in Annex II of Directive 92/43 and in the global list of species in need of UN protection.