Mytilene is a fascinating town, built amphitheatrically on seven hills with a fortress on a pine covered hillock on the east. The town lies on the southeast coast of Lesbos Island and is located near the coast of Asia Minor. The town starts from the large harbor and spreads up into the lush hills and mountains behind it.
It seems the city is crowned by the magnificent castle, which is built over the ruins of an ancient fortification.
A Little Bit of History
The town of Mytilene became the island’s capital as early as 7 BC. In 428 BC there was an attempt of an uprising to free the island from Athens, but it was unsuccessful and reign of Athens continued.
The Romans conquered Mytilene in 80 BC and the port town developed during their reign.
During the Middle Ages the island changed rulers a number of times. It came under the Byzantine Empire and subsequently the Seljuqs occupied the city. Finally, the Venetian Republic got the rights to conduct commerce from this port town in 1198.
The Castle of Molyvos close to Mytilene, Greece
The island was subsequently again reconquered by the Byzantine Empire, the Genoese and the Ottomans in 1453.
Today it is an interesting destination that combines history, great beaches and the easy-going Greek island lifestyle.
The greatest lyrical poets like Sappho, Alcaeox and Pittacos were born here. Odysseas Elytis, Nobel Prize winner for literature in 1979, was also born here.
Glykfylousa Panagia (Our Lady of the Sweet Kiss)
Every summer, the municipality organizes cultural events called the “Summer of Lesbos”.
The famous “Ouzo Festival” is celebrated in the first week of August and during the celebration local producers offer their products free of charge.
Where is Mytilene?
- 20.3 miles/ 32.8 km from Agiasos, Greece
- 38.8 miles/ 62.6 km from Kalloni, Greece
- 102.5 miles/ 165 km from Kaplan Koyu, Turkey
- 11.3 miles/ 18.3 km from Moria, Greece
- 261.5 miles/ 421 km from Athens, Greece
- 384.6 miles/ 619 km from Rhodes, Greece
- 74.5 miles/ 120 km from Chios, Greece
- 127.3 miles/ 205 km from Izmir, Turkey
- 7.2 miles/ 11.7 km from Mytilene Airport, Greece
- 58 miles/ 93.5 km from Balıkesir Koca Seyit Airport, Turkey
Things to See
- The Castle
- The Ancient Theatre
- The Diocese
- The Polygonal Wall
- St. Aghios Therapon
- Archeological Museum
- St Theodoros
- Statue of Liberty
- Thermal Springs
Beaches
- Mytilene Beach
- Tsamakia Beach
- Blokia Beach and
- Vigla, Neapolis and Kratigos
Excursions
- Eressos Village and Skala of Eressos
- Agiassos
- Kalani
Mytilene is a city that is full of surprises, and its nature is not affected by its tourism.
It is the right place to visit to experience Greece.
We wish you a fantastic Mediterranean cruise!
