Anemotia- Monastireli - Xinos Potamos - Pigados - Christos - Profitis Ilias - Kryfi Panagia - Kali Lankada - Pigados
| General description: |
Hiking trail with great environmental interest among chestnut groves, forested areas with Black and Macedonian Pine, scattered oak trees, riparian vegetation, Yellow Rhododendron (Rhododendron luteum), and Peony (Paeonia mascula). |
| Detail description: |
From Anemotia, a fairly long hiking trail starts. The first stop is at Monastereli, a dependency of the Monastery of Leimonas. After the area of Xinos Potamos with the small chestnut forest, the trail moves into a pine forest with lentisk trees. This is one of the least walked areas on the island. From the ancient well of Pigados, the trail becomes more mountainous, leading up to the densely vegetated peak of Prophet Elias. In May, the slopes between the pines and black pines (Pinus nigra) "turn yellow" from the flowers of the rhododendron (Rhododendron Luteum). The presence of this Asian shrub species with its intoxicating aroma is unique to the island, the Greek and European territory. The Hidden Panagia in the rock cave is another "encounter" in the mountains that should not be missed. |
| Transportation means: |
Car and bus to Anemotia |
| Accessibility: |
Asphalted access to Anemotia, connection to rural and forestry roads |
| Best season: |
Spring, Summer, Autumn |
| Places to visit: |
Holy Church of Agios Georgios from 1702, Cathedral Holy Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior from 1885, Folklore Collection of Anemotia |
| Signage: |
Yes |
| Route starting point: |
Anemotia |
| End of Route: |
Anemotia |
| Type of tourism: |
Nature-loving, walking/hiking, historical |
Points of interest
Anemotia
| Name: |
Anemotia |
| Description: |
Settlement |
| Category: |
Cultural elements |
| Longitude: |
39.245225 |
| Latitude: |
26.104699 |
| Altitude: |
360 |
Anemotia is situated on the eastern side of Mount Kuratzonas (which has an altitude of 790m) and is built at an altitude of about 360m, occupying an area of 24,306 acres. The houses are built of quarried stone, decorated with pilasters, pediments, covered with Byzantine tiles, and surrounded by flower-filled courtyards. The narrow uphill streets are paved with stones. The name "Anemotia," according to one interpretation, derives from the location's description as "in the ears of the wind," due to the strong winds that blow in the area.
Monastireli
| Name: |
Monastireli |
| Description: |
Church/Monastery |
| Category: |
Cultural elements |
| Longitude: |
39.234167 |
| Latitude: |
26.105034 |
| Altitude: |
280 |
The 'Monasterelli' is located between two streams of the tributary that flows into the stream of Kali Lagada. A dirt road leads to it, which is marked from afar by the huge cypress tree in its courtyard. Outside the courtyard stands a large plane tree. It is a dependency of the Lemon Monastery of the Entrance of the Theotokos. It was renovated and acquired its present form in 1758. It is an example of typical Lesvos monastery architecture.
Christos
| Name: |
Christos |
| Description: |
Church/Monastery |
| Category: |
Cultural elements |
| Longitude: |
39.1909 |
| Latitude: |
26.118651 |
| Altitude: |
230 |
Traces of a chapel on the slopes of an ancient sanctuary of Pan.
Profitis Ilias
| Name: |
Profitis Ilias |
| Description: |
Peak |
| Category: |
Viewpoint |
| Longitude: |
39.207725 |
| Latitude: |
26.100485 |
| Altitude: |
800 |
Elevation of the area with unlimited view of the inland of the island, the only ascent path to the elevation is covered by rhododendrons and plane trees. It is a small plateau, and at the base of the summit, foundations of dry-stone walls are located, among them, some carved bases of millstones and broken pottery shards from a leper settlement in the area.
Kryfi Panagia
| Name: |
Kryfi Panagia |
| Description: |
Church/Monastery |
| Category: |
Cultural elements |
| Longitude: |
39.2132542744271 |
| Latitude: |
26.1004849532283 |
| Altitude: |
|
At the base of the towering rock, there is the cave of Panagia. A small wall and then the entrance, the initial construction of which dates back to around 1330. The vault of the rock is closed by a wall with a door. On the left side, there is a stone with a cross and traces of a fresco on the vault. In a built-in wall, there is the "holy table" with small icons. A fluted column, the only architectural element, suggests a pre-Christian place of worship, possibly a sanctuary of Pan. It is a sacred place, lost in the wooded slope and in the indeterminate time of its origins.
Pigados
| Name: |
Pigados |
| Description: |
Ancient ruins |
| Category: |
Cultural elements |
| Longitude: |
39.2186218970233 |
| Latitude: |
26.0898951424406 |
| Altitude: |
|
A large, elongated well, in the area there are traces of a settlement believed to be a Leprosy Village (a village where the fanatics of the area were exiled)
The route