Etymology Edit

The name is from Ancient Greek Λέσβος (Lésbos), meaning 'forested' or 'woody', possibly a Hittite borrowing, as the original Hittite name for the island was Lazpa.

Geography Edit

History Edit

Landmarks and architecture Edit

Petrified forest of Lesbos

Castle of Molyvos

Castle of Mytilene

Castle of Sigri

Church of Panagia Agiasos

Monastery of Agios Raphael

Monastery of Taxiarchis

Roman Aqueduct of Lesbos

The Bridge at Kremasti

Early Christian Basilica Agios Andreas Eressos

Temple of Klopedi

Christian Temple of Chalinados

Ancient Sanctuary of Messa

Acropolis of Ancient Pyrra

Monastery of Ipsilou

Monastery of Limonas

Ouzo Museum – The World of Ouzo [12]

Barbayannis Ouzo Museum

The Mosque in Parakila

Sourlangas Leather Factor

Catacomb of Mary Magdalene Lesbos

Endangered sites Edit

Twelve historic churches on the island were listed together on the 2008 World Monuments Fund's Watch List of the 100 Most Endangered Sites in the world. The churches range in date from the Early Christian Period to the 19th century. Exposure to the elements, outmoded conservation methods, and increased tourism are all threats to the structures. The following are the 12 churches:[13] Katholikon of Moni Perivolis

Early Christian Basilica Agios Andreas Eressos

Early Christian Basilica Afentelli Eressos

Church of Agios Stephanos Mantamados

Katholikon of Moni Taxiarchon Kato Tritos

Katholikon of Moni Damandriou Polichnitos

Metamorphosi Soteros Church in Papiana

Church of Agios Georgios Anemotia

Church of Agios Nikolaos Petra

Monastery of Ipsilou

Church of Agios Ioannis Kerami

Church of Taxiarchon Vatousa

Administration Edit

Economy Edit

Tourism Edit

LGBT tourism Edit In English and most other European languages, including Greek, the term lesbian is commonly used to refer to homosexual women. This use of the term derives from the poems of Sappho, who was born in Lesbos and who wrote with powerful emotional content directed toward other women.[15] Due to this association, Lesbos and especially the town of Eresos, her birthplace, are visited frequently by LGBT tourists.[16] The "gay" connotation of the term is considered offensive to many Lesbos islanders to such a degree that, in 2008, a group of Lesbos islanders litigated unsuccessfully a court case against the LGBT community of Greece. The islander group had requested a legal injunction to ban groups from using the word lesbian in their names, which the petitioners claim violated their human rights as it is "insulting" and disgraces them around the world.[17][18]

Cuisine Edit

Local specialities: Kydonato

Revithato

Sardeles from Kalloni

from Kalloni Selinato

Sfougato

Skafoudes

Sougania

Platzenta

Amygdalota (dessert)

(dessert) Retseli (dessert)

Sports Edit

Notable residents Edit

In Popular Culture Edit

Lesbos is depicted in Assassin's Creed Odyssey as the northeastern-most Aegean Island, the center of the island is where the player character can encounter Medusa.[19]

Gallery Edit

See also Edit