In the North-Eastern part of Lesvos, a few kilometers south of the settlement of Mandamados, through a rural road, between the areas of Platania and Halika, is the “Giorti” waterfall.
The area is covered by volcanic rocks and the waterfall is created on layers of andesitic lavas, which were formed by the intense volcanic activity of Lepetymnos 17 million years ago, after violent eruptions of the volcano. The tectonic action caused the fragmentation of these rocks and the creation of faults that created tectonic terraces that interrupt the smooth flow of water, forming many, small, successive steps.
Along the Aspropotamos, until the middle of the 20th century, there was a continuous flow of water throughout the year. Thus, a few meters from the point of the waterfall, a large stone watermill was built, which today has been destroyed and only its lower part is preserved. Its aim was to contribute to the agricultural development of the wider area by grinding wheat produced by the surrounding arable lands.
Aspropotamos originates from the south-eastern side of the Lepetymnos massif and continues its course, creating a few meters below the impressive waterfall in the pit of “Man’ Katsa”.
