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Samos Island



Prefecture of Samos

HISTORY

According to Stravonas it was first inhabited by the Kares who called it Parthenia. Around BC 1000 the Ionians arrived. The island was rapidly developed during the rule of Polykratis [BC 540]. In the first Persian attack against Greece the Samians followed the Persian fleet but after their defeat at Salamina they joined their forces with the Ionians in the Battle of Mykali, in BC 470. The Athenian general Timotheos conquered it in BC 356 and made it an Athenian colony. In the years that followed it was dominated by the Ptolemies: Antiochios the Second, the Kings of Pergamos and in BC 129 by the Romans. In the Byzantine years, it belonged to Cyclades islands. Then it was conquered by the Venetians, the Franks and the Genoites. Later, in 1453, it was ceded to the Turks and the Gonoites transfered the few inhabitants to Chios. The island remained deserted for about a hundred years. In 1550, the Turk Pasha Kilij ruled the area and favored the Christians. However, between 1772-74, the Russians intervened and occupied the island. On 18 April, 1821, the Samians raised the Greek flag at Vathi and the administration of the island was taken over by Lycourgos Logothetis. Since 1834, a Greek prince was allowed by the Turks to take control of the administration of the island. The first one was Stephanos Vogoridis [1834-59]. On November the 11th of 1912, Samos declared its libaration and was under temporary administration.

Aristarchos who brought forward the sun-centered system in BC 320, the philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras and the revolutionist Lycourgos Logothetis, were born in Samos.The first archaeological expedition first started in 1764. In 1910 systematic excavations began, which are continued till the present day. There are 33.814 inhabitants.

Vathi

The port of the island which stretchs at the inmost part of great gulf. Samos lies near, one of the most beautiful isular cities and capital of the island since 1832. There are 2.875 inhabitants.

Important Sites:

  • The archeological museum with findings from Iraio, works of the sculpturer Geneleo, marble sarcophagus, the Kouros statue made by Lefkias.Among other exhibits- female statues, collection of copper objects, copper offerings from Egypt and Persia, statuettes of clay, ivory and wooden articles from Iraio. Prehistoric pots, ceramics of the Geometrical and Archaic Period found in Iraio.
  • The Museum of Churches` Art, with collection of silver and gold pieces, embroideries, portable icons and manuscripts.
  • The Gallery with historical exhibits from 1821 till the recent years. The “Constitution of Samos”, portraits of Samos`s fighters, two of which were made by N. Lytras. Portraits of the leaders of Samos, the candidacy of Samos union with Greece. It is roofed in the City Hall.

  • The Public library.

  • The Folklore Museum.

  • The monastery of "Zoodochos Pigi" [1756] and Agia Zoni [1695].

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Karlovasi

The hometown of the fighter of the Revolution of 1821, Lycourgos Logothetis. It is a coastal town with a port and beautiful neoclassic houses. It has 5895 inhabitants and lies 33 km north-west of Samos.

Important Sites:

  • The ruins of the castle near the port.
  • The church of "Metamorphosis", at Potami [1250]
  • The monastery of Prophet Elias [1703], 4 km southwards.
  • At Potami, they is source of water which contain radium.
  • The church of the "Genesis of Theotokos"- 1896- in the village of Kontakaiika, 6 km north-east.

Kokkari

Coastal village covered with olive trees, vineyards and pine trees, 10 km west of Samos, with 973 inhabitants. It got its name from the onion bulbs, which are in abundance in the area. The church of Panagia [1819] with its wonderful wooden and sculptured iconostasis and the church of Agios Nickolas.

Marathokampos

Mediterranean village situated 41 km west of Samos and has a population of 1960 inhabitants. The seaport is Ormos, 5 km south.

Important Sites:

  • The old churches of Agios Georgios and "Evangelistria", in a distance of 1.5km.
  • The cave of "Pythagoras".
  • The church of "Sarantascaliotissa", with exquisite frescoes, built deep in a cave.
  • At Ormos, 5 km south, the church of Agios Nickolas, the old monastery of Agios Ioannis the "Eleimonas", an hour trip by boat from Ormos.

Pythagoreio

SamosPithagorio2.jpg (21607 bytes)

It looks like a frying pan and the islanders call it this ("Tegani"). It lies 13 km south of Samos and has a population of 1642 inhabitants.

Important Sites:

  • "Polykrateio walls" of the ancient city of which the perimeters is 6,222 m. It surrounds Spilianis hill along with the church of Panagia [1886] and Kastelli, a large plain stretching towards the sea, the hill of the "Castle of Logothetis" and the port. The fortification is strengthen by 35 towers and an irrigation ditch, carved on a rock.
  • The archeological collection-statues of the Archaic and Roman Period, architectural remains of the ancient buildings, inscriptions, sculptured tombstones of the Archaic Period -8th century. There are also portraits of Roman Emperors and statues of Archaic art. It is roofed in the building of the Community.

Panagia Spiliani

  • The fortified tower of Logothetis [1824], 1.5 km east.

The tower of Logothetis

  • The "Eupalineio" Aqueduct of the 8th century, the greatest technical work of the ancient times -Internal Plumbing system- it was used to pump water from "Megali Pigi" of the area of Agiades into the city. The ancient theater. Remains of the seats are saved.

The "Eupalineio" Aqueduct

  • Iraio, the formal sanctuary of Samos. According to the mythology, the Goddess Juno was born and raised here. It lies 8 km from the village of Pythagoreio, on the eastern coast of Imbrassos. The excavations proved that the area was inhabited from BC 2,500 till the last Hystero-Helladic Years. Mycenean graves were located near the village of Myloi, 9 km west of Iraio. The first temple of Juno was built by the Samian architect Roicos, in the 8th BC century. In BC 525 it was burnt. During the years of Polycratis, its reconstruction began but it was never completed. At its place there is now a pillar. There are also other buildings dated in the Hellenistic and Roman Period, among which there is a Paleochristian royal church (of the 5th AD century). The archaeological collection of Iraio, with things found by the excavations in the area.

Around Islands

Samiopoula. A small private island south of Samos. Visitors can get to the island by touristic boat from Pythagoreio.

 

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