1. General Information
2. Birdwatching and Nature in Dipi
3. Nearby Attractions

General Information

The area of Dipi comprises the second largest wetland of Lesvos, its largest swamp, and a reed bed of singular proportions in the entirety of the island. Dipi has been included in the EU Natura 2000 network: many rare plants, birds, insects, amphibians - and the increasingly elusive otter - live in the wetland of Dipi, an ecosystem of enormous importance to the fauna and flora of eastern Lesvos.

Birdwatching and Nature in Dipi

High on the must-visit list of any avid birdwatcher, Dipi joins the regions of Kalloni and Vatera in their provision of shelter to many bird species rarely to be encountered in Europe. Kruper’s Nuthatch, Ruddy Shelducks, Black Storks, shrikes, flamingos, kingfishers, harriers, buzzards, eagles, goshawks, cormorants, falcons and kestrels are attracted to the area, which is teeming with wildlife, amazingly beautiful flora and a variety of rare reptiles.

Dipi is a fabulous habitat for a wealth of rare species. Its marshes, swamp, wetland and reed bed are a haven for botanists, birdwatchers and lovers of nature, who flock to the area to admire Dipi’s population of migratory birds and discover a variety of rare amphibians, reptiles and plants such as the stunning Lax-flowered Orchid (Orchis laxiflora). If you are one of them, arm yourself with your sunhat, camera and binoculars and do come to Dipi - the sight of so much (and such rare) fauna and flora will be worth getting one’s feet wet!

Nearby Attractions

The Bay of Gera is a shallow bay with a small mouth and numerous coastal lagoons, rivers, river estuaries and deltas, swamps, reedbeds and wetlands. The region of the Bay has been inhabited since early antiquity. Early Copper Age settlements and a large Myceanean village have been discovered in the coastal position of Khalatses, and it is thought that a large number of settlements became established in the west coastal areas of Gera in the course of the Byzantine era. A wealth of ancient ruins are still in presence on the sea bed between the areas of Dipi and Perama, pointing to the former existence of a large, once thriving ancient settlement.

1. General Information
2. Lampou Mili Attractions
3. Lampou Mili Events
4. Nearby Attractions
        4.1  The Bridges of Evergetoulas River
        4.2  The Roman Aqueduct in Lampou Mili
        4.3  Karini

General Information

The former municipality of Evergetoulas is one of the least known - and most attractive - on the island of Lesvos. Home to some 3.500 residents, it is located 16 kilometers away from Mytilene. Its villages of Asomatos, Ippios, Kato Tritos, Sykounda, Mychou, Keramia and Lampou Mili are scattered in a landscape of olive groves, modest farm holdings, fruit trees, running streams and roaming wildlife. The presence of water accounts for the fertility of the Evergetoulas valley and the greenness for which all seven Evergetoulas villages are so widely renowned.

By many, Asomatos is considered the prettiest village in the region of Evergetoulas, and Ippios the largest. The location of Agii Anargyri (you may also encounter the spelling ‘Agioi Anargyroi’) is broadly regarded as an area of unmatched natural beauty – cherry trees, leafy planes, rich foliage and a streaming brook provide a tranquil green setting for the homonymous chapel, which was built in 1881 and is visited by many Greek and foreign visitors to the Evergetoulas region.

Mylelia, the small settlement at a 3-kilometer distance from Ippios, has become known for its restored and fully-operational water mill and for the local workshop of regional products, which draws numerous visitors to the area.

West of the village Mychou, the trip to the chapel of Saint John involves trekking through a verdant area of planes and numerous running streams. The walk is easy to manage and is highly recommended to anyone wishing to discover the multifaceted beauty of Lesvos.

Lampou Mili is one of the smallest and least known villages in the Evergetoulas region. Home to a dwindling 194 residents (2001), the village site marks the beginning of the Lesvos pine forest.

The village is traversed by the Mytilene-Kalloni artery. Its panoramic views to the Gulf of Gera and the valleys of Evergetoulas, its numerous traditional cafes and multitude of trees mean that Lampou Mili is a cool, shady retreat for many visitors to the area, who stop by to admire the wonderful far-reaching views.

Lampou Mili Attractions

Visitors are greeted to Lampou Mili by a fountain where by-passers stop and fill up their flasks. In the past, public fountains would act as an integral part of life in the country - providing a meeting point for women who assembled to exchange gossip, collect their day’s supply of water and, wherever a separate washing area was available, do their week’s laundry, which was often accompanied by lively chatter, singing and laughter. A fountain was a meeting point for the local children too, who splashed merrily in the clear water during the hot summer months. The respected, well-maintained fountain was the starting point for a community’s hygiene and the center of village life. Today, the fountain at the entrance to Lampou Mili provides a multitude of visitors with cool running water, acting as a reminder of the omnipresence of water in the region of Evergetoulas, and of an idyllic past when fountains were still crucial to life in thousands of households.

The village name refers to the five old water mills once present in Lampou Mili. The stone-built water-channels that once led to the mills may still be seen in the village.

Lampou Mili is one of the villages where a number of archaeological treasures have been discovered - three Hellenistic kilns were recently uncovered during major excavation work on the Kalloni-Mytilene artery, in the Lampou Mili area.

The main village church was erected in 1922 by refugees from Asia Minor and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

A small grocery store where home-brewed wine and a variety of fresh vegetables and fruit are available is located right by the fountain.

Lampou Mili Events

Lampou Mili springs to life on April 25th, on the eve of the feast of Saint George.

Nearby Attractions

The Bridges of Evergetoulas River

Lampou Mili is linked to the route joining Mytilene to Agiasos, the religious capital of Lesvos. Halfway between the village and the Mytilene-Agiasos artery lies the first of the three bridges of the Evergetoulas river. The area is splendid year-round, whether you come here to enjoy the trickle of river water in the shade of the age-old plane trees or take in the amazing sight of the cyclamens growing wild in the vicinity in the months of autumn. Up the hill from the bridge, visitors may observe the Byzantine monument that has lent its name to the ‘Enthrono’ (meaning ‘enthroned’) hilltop location.

The Roman Aqueduct in Lampou Mili

Surrounded by pine trees, olive groves and the verdant Evergetoulas plain, Lampou Mili is worth the trip if only to admire the green scenery and pay a visit to the nearby Roman Aqueduct and tranquil springs of Karini. The trip from Lampou Mili to the Aqueduct and then Karini involves an easy 13-kilometer walk amidst a wonderfully green landscape. You will adore the serenity of the setting and become acquainted with a major historical sight in the center of the island of Lesvos.

The Roman Aqueduct is located just outside Lampou Mili, in the location Paspala in the valley of ‘Khlias I Vrisi’. It is a continuation of the Roman Aqueduct of Moria dating from the end of the 2nd century AD. A masterpiece of ancient architecture, the Roman Aqueduct originally began from Mount Olympos, continued on for 26 kilometers and led into the city of Mytilene. Today, the remaining structure has lost none of its imposing character. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, the Roman Aqueduct of Lampou Mili remains one of the greatest historical sights to be encountered on Lesvos.

Karini

The nearby area of Karini is a perfect stop for visitors who wish to enjoy a cool retreat in the local café-cum-restaurant, feed the many ducklings and ducks, and buy from a variety of brightly-painted decorative gourds, dried herbs and souvenirs from the local stalls.

1. General Information
2. Keramia Attractions
3. Keramia Events
4. Nearby Attractions

General Information

The village of Keramia is located in the midst of the green valley of Evergetoulas, a mere 17 kilometers away from the Lesvos capital, Mytilene.

The village dates from the Middle Ages and was once home to the Castle of Gieremia (the site is currently occupied by the village church). It was named after the roof-tile (‘keramidia’) outlets formerly present in the village, which sold roof-tiles from the factories of Dipi.

Many of its residents were refugees from Asia Minor. They are genuinely amicable and welcoming towards visitors who stop at the village bakery or roam around the village before continuing their trip towards Agiasos or Mytilene. Engaged mainly in agriculture and farming, a number of Keramia residents sell fresh vegetables and fruit on stalls by the roadside.

Keramia Attractions

There is a three-arch bridge (circa 13th century AD) at the entrance to the village, and a church dedicated to the Saints Charalambos and George. The church was built by the immigrants who settled in Keramia in 1922, the year of the population exchange between Turkey and Greece.

Keramia Events

Should you happen to be here on Saint George’s day (23/04), be prepared to enjoy an evening of celebration, horse racing and an equine pageant. The event attracts visitors from all around Lesvos and is recommended to lovers of traditional Greek music and dance and those with a penchant for horses.

Nearby Attractions

The green valley around Keramia invites visitors to explore it on foot and pick bunches of the wild herbs growing abundantly in the area.

Just 2 kilometers away from Keramia lays the village of Ippios. Ippios is renowned for its fertile valley and plentiful fig trees but, if you’re keen to taste a little of the best ice cream on Lesvos, do make the trip to the local confectioner’s!