Kalloni - Dafia - Myrsiniotissa Monastery - Leimonos Monastery - Metochi Agioi Anargyroi - Kalloni
| General description: |
Hiking trail with great cultural interest among olive groves, pine forests, wild sage bushes, scattered oak trees, areas with piles of stones, cultivated fields of the plain, monasteries & estates, chapels, old springs, paved paths, threshing floors. |
| Detail description: |
Starting from Kalloni, the route heads towards the village of Dafia, on a quiet asphalt road through the plain. From there, the main section begins, on paths of rocky but low hills. It is a circular route with stops at monasteries and estates of the historic Monastery of Leimonos, which was re-established by Saint Ignatius of Agalianos during the years of Ottoman rule. The hiker will have the opportunity to enjoy the journey on large sections of the route, which are paved with stones from the time of the saint, as well as to visit the sacred spaces of the monasteries, and the very interesting Museums of the Monastery of Leimonos. Marked sections lead to Dafia or Kalloni, through rural roads in the plain, with the possibility of hiking up to Skala Kalloni. |
| Transportation means: |
Car and bus to Kalloni and Dafia |
| Accessibility: |
Asphalt access to Kalloni- Dafia - Myrsiniotissa Monastery - Leimonos Monastery, connection to rural and forestry roads |
| Best season: |
Spring, Summer, Autumn |
| Places to visit: |
Myrsiniotissa Monastery - Leimonos Monastery (Museum) - Metochi Agioi Anargyroi |
| Signage: |
Yes |
| Route starting point: |
Kalloni |
| End of Route: |
Kalloni |
| Type of tourism: |
Nature-loving, walking/hiking, historical |
Points of interest
Kalloni - Dafia
| Name: |
Kalloni - Dafia |
| Description: |
Settlement |
| Category: |
Cultural elements |
| Longitude: |
39.234166 |
| Latitude: |
26.208306 |
| Altitude: |
5 |
The area of Kalloni is favored by nature, with the waters of the gulf embracing the rich plain of 100 square kilometers that are irrigated by rivers and fertilized by underground water, and with its historic monasteries such as the Monastery of Leimonos and the Monastery of Panagia Myrsiniotissa standing guard over it, it has always been the crossroads from which the main axes of the island passed. Dafia is located on the slopes of the hill and has an excellent view towards the Gulf of Kalloni, and it is a small settlement.
Myrsiniotissa Monastery
| Name: |
Myrsiniotissa Monastery |
| Description: |
Church/Monastery |
| Category: |
Cultural elements |
| Longitude: |
39.250347 |
| Latitude: |
26.200991 |
| Altitude: |
59 |
It is located at a short distance (4 km) from the area of Kalloni. It is dependent on the Holy Monastery of Limonos, of Byzantine rhythm, which was restored by Saint Ignatios (1523) in honor of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. Inside, there are priceless portable icons of Byzantine style, an old wooden iconostasis, and important frescoes. As part of its philanthropic work, it organized and operated a girls' school in the 16th century, making a significant contribution to the spiritual cultivation of subjugated Greeks under Turkish conquerors.
Leimonos Monastery
| Name: |
Leimonos Monastery |
| Description: |
Church/Monastery |
| Category: |
Cultural elements |
| Longitude: |
39.249014 |
| Latitude: |
26.174267 |
| Altitude: |
150 |
The Catholic Monastery is honored in the name of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. It was built in 1523 by the Metropolitan of Methymna, Ignatius Agalianos, whose name is still honored today. During the years of Turkish rule, it was the only spiritual center on the island (here a boys' school operated in the 16th century). The Catholic Monastery is an imposing basilica-style church with a carved and gilded wooden iconostasis, while its interior walls are adorned with 19th century frescoes in the style of Mount Athos. It has a rich library with 5,000 volumes - from 1502 to the present day - manuscripts from the 9th to the 19th century, patriarchal synod decrees, and Ottoman firman documents. The oldest book is a Gospel from the 9th century, written in golden ink. Along with the church, there is also a Museum of Ecclesiastical and Folk Art with an impressive collection of ecclesiastical objects, icons, vestments, and other carved objects, as well as the only Geological Museum in Lesbos (1990), where the dominant Lesvos rocks and minerals are presented. The Monastery was an important center of religious, national, spiritual, educational, and philanthropic activities during the years of Turkish rule.
Metochi of Agioi Anargyroi
| Name: |
Metochi of Agioi Anargyroi |
| Description: |
Church/Monastery |
| Category: |
Cultural elements |
| Longitude: |
39.253915 |
| Latitude: |
26.191555 |
| Altitude: |
80 |
In Metochi of Agii Anargyri, the Metropolitan of Methymna, Lesvos and previous abbot of the Monastery of Leimonas, Saint Ignatios Agallianos, retired in 1557, choosing it as his hermitage, where he passed away on October 14, 1566. It is a stone-built building of traditional-religious architecture which has been used in recent years by a Norwegian educational institution for experiential seminars during the summer months.
The route