Alternative spellings:
Ayiasos, Agiasos, Aghiasos, Ayiassos, Agiassos, Aghiassos.
Near the centre of Lesvos island a well-known town is Ayiassos. This town, a "Preserved Traditional Settlement", is famous for its long, yet vivid tradition.
“... Ayiassos is very much alike Mount Athos. Life seems to move at the same unbelievably slow pace, as if it were centuries behind our time. Everything there is simple, peaceful/placid, paternalistic, like the times before the wheel was invented …”
Costas Ouranis
Ayiassos is the most picturesque, most beautiful, mountainous traditional town on Lesvos, built on the NE foot of Olympus mountain amidst lush vegetation, at an altitude of about 500m. Narrow roads, steep cobbled roads, evoke memories of the by-gone days. Simple houses which remind you of the by-gone days, unsophisticated in their architecture yet impressive with their wooden balconies decorated with a multitude of potted flowers. Having the feeling that time stopped in the ‘30s, you will be impressed by its significant commercial activity and local traditions, which are fervently preserved. The town is renown for its Festival of Panaghia (Virgin Mary) on August 15th.
A pleasant itinerary would be to set off from Mytilini via the town’s NW exit. At the intersection take the road pointing to Ayiassos. Make a stop at Karini, amidst lush vegetation. Enjoy your coffee under the perennial plane trees with their characteristic hollows. Refresh yourself with the icy cold waters of the area and continue on your way to genuflect before the famous icon of Panaghia of Ayiassos.
The somewhat “eccentric” temperament of the villagers, who are known for their acuteness, their industrious nature, profound faith but also for their unrelenting, but well-intentioned mockery, shed light on the souls of all those they associate with. Ayiassos is considered to be the “mother” of schoolteachers. Indeed this is true, since a large number of teachers come from Ayiassos.
This town is built amidst lush verdure. Large areas of land are planted with chestnuts, walnuts, apples and wild cherries that create a landscape of unique beauty in both winter and summer. The florescence of the area is significant, particularly in spring. Anemones with beautifully coloured petals, cyclamens, peonies and wild orchids complete this picture of scenic beauty.
A large number of people moved to Ayiassos in the early 1800’s, among them many fine craftsmen of a variety of trades. This significant inflow of people and subsequent increase in and creation of new ones lead to the establishment of a large number of workshops that produced fine quality products and thus soon became known to the general public and were in great demand all over the island. Indeed by the end of the 19th century five steam-driven olive presses that operated, created the need for the establishment of a number of other manufactories for the production of special sacks in which the olive pulp was stored. Today these sacks are far less in demand and production has diminished due to the introduction of modern technology. This is one of the reasons why Ayiassos experienced a population bleed during the years following 1952; migration, both domestic (that is to other parts of Greece) and abroad resulted in a loss of a significant part of the labour force of Ayiassos. Today, what remains from the long tradition of Ayiassos is workshops of woodcarving, pottery, traditional furniture and antiquaries. You can find also a municipal art gallery, an active local cultural union, a library and a theatre group. |
email me
add as friend
Comments for StefanosS about Agiasos