Thermi Beach - Prehistoric Settlement - Pyrgoi Thermis - Panagia Trouloti - Loutropoli Thermis
| General description: |
Hiking trail within rural and sparsely populated areas. |
| Detail description: |
The healthy climate of the area and the warm healing waters (which is where the name Therma comes from) have always attracted visitors. In this place of healing, the goddess Artemis Thermia was worshipped. The area of Therma has a history that goes back 5,500 years. It is one of the few places on Lesbos and the entire Eastern Aegean that has been inhabited and developed socially and politically since prehistoric times. The archaeological site of Prehistoric Therma, located in the midst of olive groves, is organized and open to visitors. The Towers of Therma, with scattered tower houses from the past and unique Christian shrines, are crowned by the Panagia Troulouti. The Byzantine church has two layers of frescoes and inset marble with representations. In the Loutroupoli of Therma, hikers will admire the entirety of a renovated tower house and cool off in the cafes of the Agora. The route ends at Loutroupoli, but visitors can descend the provincial road that leads to the historic spa facilities on the beach. |
| Transportation means: |
Car and bus to Thermi, Thermi Beach |
| Accessibility: |
Asphalted access to Thermi, Thermi Beach, connection to rural and municipal roads |
| Best season: |
Annually |
| Places to visit: |
Prehistoric Settlement – Panagia Trouloti |
| Signage: |
Yes |
| Route starting point: |
Thermi beach |
| End of Route: |
Loutropoli Thermis |
| Είδος τουρισμού: |
Walk/hike, cultural |
Points of interest
Prehistoric Settlement
| Name: |
Prehistoric Settlement |
| Description: |
Archaeological site |
| Category: |
Cultural elements |
| Longitude: |
39.176489 |
| Latitude: |
26.504309 |
| Altitude: |
2 |
This significant settlement came to light after excavations by the British School at Athens between the years 1929-1933. The excavations revealed a city of early urban character in seven successive building phases of the Early (3200 - 2400 BC), Middle and Late Bronze Age (2000 - 1300 BC).
Thermi was a small, unwalled town but with a town planning organization. The houses of the settlement were connected by party walls and formed complexes, organized radially around a central area that was defined by a corridor. The main architectural type of the houses was the rectangular narrow building with a closed, sometimes open, antechamber and a chamber, with an entrance on one narrow side.
Pyrgoi Thermis
| Name: |
Pyrgoi Thermis |
| Description: |
Settlement |
| Category: |
Cultural elements |
| Longitude: |
39.174372 |
| Latitude: |
26.498771 |
| Altitude: |
9 |
In Therme, tower houses were built for the wealthy class of the island, already from the era of the Genoese. There used to be over 100 towers in the area of Therme. These towers had some fortification characteristics, such as the absence of an entrance on the first floor, embrasures, rifle loopholes, etc.
Panagia Trouloti
| Name: |
Panagia Trouloti |
| Description: |
Church/Monastery |
| Category: |
Cultural elements |
| Longitude: |
39.175039 |
| Latitude: |
26.498319 |
| Altitude: |
35 |
The temple belongs to the category of the registered cross-in-square with a dome and dates back to the 14th century. It is one of the few Byzantine temples that have been preserved in Lesbos. The temple is dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary and is called Panagia Truloti or Tourloti because it is one of the few temples with a dome on the island, and it is one of the rare cases where the image of the Virgin Mary decorates the dome instead of the Pantocrator. According to tradition, it is believed that it was built in 804 AD during the exile of Empress Irene of Athens on Lesbos, with money she collected begging, as a "penance" imposed on her by her spiritual advisor when she confessed to him that she blinded her son Constantine VI after usurping the throne of Byzantium.
Loutropoli Thermis
| Name: |
Loutropoli Thermis |
| Description: |
Settlement |
| Category: |
Cultural elements |
| Longitude: |
39.180737 |
| Latitude: |
26.484455 |
| Altitude: |
62 |
In the traditional cafes, small houses with gardens, and old mansions of Thermi, contrasting images from different eras blend together to create a harmonious neighborhood. The mosque, the old olive press, and the elaborate fountains attract the attention of visitors, while the paved square and narrow alleys offer unique hospitality and impressive walks to those who visit. Thermi uniquely combines mountain and sea tourism. The red local stone that adorns stone-built constructions, alleys, houses, and churches, harmoniously blends with the greenery of nature.
The route