The island of Samos
Samos is a Greek island in the eastern Aegean Sea, south of Chios, north of Patmos and the Dodecanese, and off the coast of western Turkey, from which it is separated by the 1.6-kilometre (1.0 mi)-wide Mycale Strait. It is also a separate regional unit of the North Aegean region. In ancient times, Samos was an especially rich and powerful city-state, particularly known for its vineyards and wine production. It is home to Pythagoreion and the Heraion of Samos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes the Eupalinian aqueduct, a marvel of ancient engineering. Samos is the birthplace of the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras, after whom the Pythagorean theorem is named, the philosophers Melissus of Samos and Epicurus, and the astronomer Aristarchus of Samos, the first known individual to propose that the Earth revolves around the Sun. Samian wine was well known in antiquity and is still produced on the island.
Sights
Hiking lovers will enjoy the 32 marked hiking trails of approximately 240 kilometers, from one end of the island to the other, connecting villages, leading to deserted beaches, high peaks, dense forests, chapels, ancient ruins.
Starting from the River, visitors can visit the waterfalls, which form a pond. Hundreds of local people and foreigners gather there in the summer, admire the wild beauty and have the chance to cool off under the rushing waters.
Also, many attractions have been classified as UNESCO monuments. Important attractions of the island are the following:
• Heraion of Samos: Heraion of Samos is located 3 kilometers west of Pythagorion and is dedicated to the goddess Hera
• Eupalinio Trench: It is located two kilometers from Pythagorion in the ancient tunnel mentioned by Herodotus as the Amphistom Trench.
• Cave of Pythagoras: It is located at the bottom of Kerkis and according to tradition, the philosopher Pythagoras took refuge there.
• Pythagoras Square: it is the center of the social and commercial life of the city of Samos. It was named after the homonymous ancient Samian philosopher. The lion statue in the center of the square makes an excellent landmark.
• Lake Glyfada: Artificial lake located along the main road, not far from Pythagorion
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• Ancient Theater: It is located just 2 kilometers from Pythagorion, on the way to the Holy Monastery of Panagia Spilianis and on the road that leads to the Eupalineo Trench. Its original construction has suffered a lot of damage. Today only some parts of it are intact. In the same location, there is a modern wooden structure on which some performances are given, mainly in the summer months, in the context of cultural festivals (Manolis Kalomiris Festival)
Archaeological Museum of Samos: The museum is housed in two buildings; the old museum of 1912, the so-called Paschalion and the new Museum.
• New Archaeological Museum of Pythagoras: The new Archaeological Museum includes statues, tombstones, sarcophagi, marble statues and ceramics. An important exhibit is the seated statue that Aiakis dedicated to Hera (540 BC) and the 2.7 meter tall statue of Emperor Trajan
• Archaeological Collection of Pythagoras: The Archaeological Collection of Pythagoras is housed on the ground floor of the town hall building.
• Ecclesiastical Byzantine Museum of the Holy Metropolis of Samos (28 October 2, Samos): the museum exhibits a significant number of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine relics. Among the historical ecclesiastical relics are the epimaniacs of Agios Chrysostom of Smyrna.
• Folklore Museum of the Nikolaos Dimitrios Spiritual Foundation
• Tannery Museum in Karlovasi
• Folklore Museum in Karlovasi.
