The students of the 2nd Junior High School of Leros are happy to present a project with photos and useful information for the island Leros in Greece. Teacher in charge: Papaioannou Eleni. School year:2020-2021. Project entitled for Cultural Diversity, eTwinning 2020-2021

1. Leros, a pearl of the Aegean Sea

2. Through the eyes of the children

3. Project by the 2ND Junior High school of leros for etwinning
Project by:
Gkinni Dimitra
Kordonnouris Konstantinos
Mavros Michalis
Teacher in charge of the project:
Papaioannou Eleni
School year: 2020-2021
A special thanks to the artist Palapougiouk- Kalandrani Zafeiroula for her valuable
contribution

6. Leros, the island of colours…..

8. Let’s talk about Leros….
Leros-the island of Artemis-is an island of untouched natural beauty and great
harmony. History has preserved an important role for it since antiquity. An island
of 8,500 habitants, located on the south-eastern side of the Aegean Sea, among
the Dodecanese and near Patmos. With its 53 square km of surface area and 71
km of coastline, thanks to its intensive sea erosion, Leros is today one of the last
small paradises for every visitor searching for peace and a traditional way of life. It
provides peace of mind and soul in a wonderfully hospitable environment that will
make you feel at home from the first moment. Τhis is the reason why the people
of Leos declare: ‘’ Those who know the island will never forget it.’’

9. View like no other…

11. It’s strategie geographical position in the
southeast Aegean has granted Leros a historically
rich past. The first traces of inhabitation were
found at Partheni and Gourna, dating to the
Neolithic period ( the 4th millennium B.C.). The
most important monument of the island’s
prehistory is the settlement of Kontaridas,
discovered in 1980 and located in the depths of
the Partheni bay. Traces of human presence
during the Neolithic Period and the Early Bronze
Age have been found in different locations on the
island, mainly along the coasts.

12. During the 5th century, Leros
experienced great cultural
development under the political
influence of the leading Ionian city of
Miletus.The fortification works at
Palaiokastro in Xirokampos ( 4th
century BC) and the fortifications at
Partheni appear connected to Leros’s
political dependence upon Miletus.

14. The Macedonian presence in the island can be
seen in coin finds and the fact that the island’s
liberation from the Persians is attributed to the
Macedonians.
The Byzantine years ( end of 3rd century AD
onwards) enriched the island with fine examples
of church architecture and fortification works.
The Castle of Pantelios was built during this
period, and the Castle of Lepidon, today known
as Palaiokoastro is dated to the Hellenistic period,
although it is used as a refuge to the inhabitants
in the mid-Byzantine period.

15. The Castle of Pantelios is the most important
medieval monument of Leros, towering over
the villages of Agia Marina and Platanos.
Three surround walls and five churches
survive today. The church of Panagia of
Kastro -the Castle- was built in the late 17th
century, while the single-aisled church of the
Agia Thriada dates to the mid-Byzantine
years. The monk Damaskinos established a
school at Kastro in 1726, advancing
education on the island, which closed in the
mid-19th century.

16. Places to visit….
Tunnel War Museum
In the late 1930s the Italians fortified the naval
base of Leros, building the largest underground
munitions storehouses and creating workshops
for the assembly and maintenance of the arms.
They also built underground storehouses for
various materials.
During the Battle of Leros at Merikia, alongside
the specialized technicians who assembled the
bombs and torpedoes, there was also a garrison
made up of an infantry division, Legnano was
bombed and sunk on 5 October 1943, it was
decided the defense ofthis sensitive region.
Merikia suffered serious damage during the
heavy bombing of6 October. When the Germans
took Merikia, it continued to be used as a store
for military supplies until the liberation, when
the storehouses were emptied and Merikia was
abandoned.

17. Panagia of Kastro.
In north-eastern Leros, at the top of the Pitiki hill and
around 200 meters above sea level, stands the island ‘s
castle ( Pantelios Castle, or Kastro). The church of the
Panagia, the Virgin Mar, was built on the western side of
the fortress, a religious and cultural symbol fpr the people
of Leros. According to tradition an icon of the Panagia
appeared on the island from the sea and was placed by a
miracle in the gunpowder store, between two lighted
candles, despite the efforts of the Turkish Aga to remove
it. A church was built in her honour on this site, which
quickly became the island’s and it’s seamen main worship-
point. The church was built on the current site at a later
date, in 1669,the initially small church having been
renovated by the Metropolitan Bishop of Karpathos,
Neophytos Gairmanis.

18. Panagia Vrefokratousa
The small icon of the Panagia Vrefokratousa,
the Virgin Mary with Child, is a precious
religious relic for the Lerians. It is kept inside
a wooden frame with gold and silver casting
that was made around 1932. The church has
some fine icons, many of which, along with
other relics, are displayed in the
Ecclesiastical Treasury of Byzantine Art,
which was recently built next to the church
and operate as a museum

19. Τhose, who love romantic walks,
shall go up, through the
neighbourhoods of Platanos
towards Agia Paraskevi and, from
there, small follow a path with
around 500 steps. At the end of
this walk, they ‘ll face the Kastro,
the view of with will travel them
back in time.

21. Ecclesiastical Museum
On the west side of the Byzantine
castle stands the church of the
Panagia, with its golden icon screen
and remarkable icons. Next stop, at
the Ecclesiastical Museum, housed in
a new building next to the church.
Here, you can admire rare
manuscripts, holy books, precious
icons, sacerdotal vestments and other
ecclesiastical artefacts. Finally, visit the
large cellars and castle wells.

22. Lakki
From km southwest of Platanos lays Lakki, the
main port of Leros, closed and safe, the
largest natural harbour in the Mediterranean.
It has modern port facilities and two units for
servicing pleasure crafts. It looks like a huge
lake, with an open space of only 400 meters
on the sea side. Lakki has a different colour
from the rest of the island, unusual and
extremely impressive. Imposing buildings
stranded across the beach, built in a modern
and simple architectural style, the co-called
International Style. Monumental buildings,
large streets, rows of tree and parks, all
designed and built by the Italians in the
interwar period ( from 1934).

23. Map of Lakki
According to the specialists, the designers
followed a mixture of classic neo-futuristic and
rationalist architecture, which reflected the
colonial philosophy of the ‘dominant’ nation
during the interwar period in Italy. The town was
probably designed by the architect Rodolfo
Petracco. He and Armand Bernabiti, another
architect, appear to have designed the most
important buildings. Lakki is one of the three
unique residential estates built according to the
International Style ( the others are Saubadia in
Italy and Weissenhof near Stuttgart).

24. Places to relax…
Vromolithos
Next to Panteli, is the open bay of
Vromolithos with a large sandy
beach, pebbly at some spots. Small,
hospitable hotels and room to rent,
fish taverns with delicious appetizers
next to the sea. Opposite, you can
see the small island of Agia Kyriaki,
with a small church at it peak.

25. A place to visit….

26. Day and night, there is beauty like no other….

28. Beleni Tower
The Beleni tower, a manor house,
has been restored with special
care, and in our days, it hosts the
Folklore and Historical Museum,
with a library, Press museum, as
well as an art gallery and courtyard
where cultural events are held.

29. Krithoni
Krithoni, between
Alinda and Agia Marin,
spreads from the sea up
to a hill Verdant, with
beautiful houses,
numerous little
churches, old Lerian
House, luxury hotels
and hospitable rent
rooms and restaurants.

30. Alinda
Alinda is located in the centre
of bay of Agia Marina and
today is the island’s most
developed touristic spot with
substantial modern tourist
accommodation. The
landscape is full of pines an
olive trees, with a large sandy
beach and crystal-clear sea-
water.

31. Temple of Artemis
The visitors, interested in the history of their
country, must visit the archaeological site of
Partheni, located next to the airport. During
exvacations in 1980, a complex of churches built on
top of Roman structures was discovered. The
precious position of the ancient temple of Parthenos
Iocalis has so far not been identified. The popular
historian Iakovos Rizos Ravagis wrote in 1855: “
there is a large deserted church which has many
plaques and stands on the foundations of the
ancient temple, undoubtedly that of Artemis ….’’.
The church of Agios Georgios ( 10th century AD) is to
be found in the boarder region, built using ancient
materials, probably from the ruins of the temple of
Artemis. During the 1967-1974 dictatorship, there
was a prison camp in the region, housed in the
warehouses of the old Italian barracks, which still
survives today.

32. Agia Kioura
The church of Agia Kioura or
Matronas( 18th century) is located
on a coastal port, worth visiting for
its beautiful icons, made by political
prisoners during the dictatorship,
which has now been declared a
protected monument of historical
interest.

33. Agios Isidoros
In the area of Kokkali lies the picturesque
small church of Agios Isidoros, built on a
islet, connected to the old submerged little
port by the small passageway, built next to
it. Further south, following the road along
the beach and having passed Gourna is,
near the site of Drimonas, is located the
small 14th-century church of Panagia
Gourlomata with valuable icons, built with
material taken from a ruined ancient
building. Caiques set off from Partheni for
the Lipsi islands, a short hop away.

34. Diving
The fascination of the sea bed
A grown in thematic diving has been
observed over the past few years.
Leros has great potential to become
known as a specialized diving destination,
since it hosts a large number of wrecks
from the Second Word War, in a marine
ecosystem of great ecological value.
Th Ephorate of Underwater Antiquites of
Leros has opened two areas where
underwater activity is permitted: From
cape Soumari to cape Mavros Kavos and
from Xirokampos bay to Dipori bay.

35. Gastronomic Tourism
In Leros, the power of authentic and simple
cuisine dominates everywhere. The journey
through the island’s cuisine,beyond the cliches
of mass tourism, is as fascinating as the
island’s architecture, serene landscape and the
warm hospitality of its inhabitants, who
welcome you, with an intensely earthly and
simple code of communication.
At Lakki, Alinda and other parts of Leros you
will enjoy delicious meat dishes.On the island,
the women indeed know how to charm with
their cooking and their vegetables dishes
cooked with generous doses of live oil, rich in
nutrition. Fresh beans, okra and aubergines
are the basic ingredients of a surely successful
gastronomic delight.
Even today, in almost all places the classic
treat for welcoming a guest is the traditional
Greek spoon sweet. On the island you will be
offered quince, bitter oranges, small
aubergines and the suchlike.

36. Gastronomy
Marriage for the Lerian family is a unique
and important event ,demanding
particular preparations and presentation.
For this reason, Lerians work hard on the
sweets that they will serve, giving, that
way, a happy tone to the whole event.
Turnovers, “poungia”, “soumada” almond
drinks and macaroons add a particular
toneto the marital feast. The dominant
ingredients of these sweets are honey,
castor sugar and, syrup, thus giving in a
metaphorical way sweet and pure wishes
to the newly-weds. Ask for the local
macaroons in the patisseries of Leros.

37. Culture
The island’s cultural activities are
supported by the Municipal Entreprise for
Cultural Development and Welfare of Leros
(DEPOAP), and by the initiatives of local
associations, Artemis and the Theatre
Group of Leros
The association Artemis organizes all the
Municipality’s cultural and social events
both on and outside of Leros every year. It
has two Friends Associations, creative and
musical laboratories, and a philharmonic
orchestra.
The Theatre Group produces plays annual
basis, working with the amateur troupes of
various bodies.

38. Culture
The actions of the Asia Minor
Association of Leros are also
noteworthy with many art and
craft seminars certified by KEK
Genimata
To mention the municipal library
of Leros with an unique collection
of Greek and foreign language
books. The collection exceeds
20,000 titles so far, and is
organized with the ABEKT 5.6
library program.

39. Leros, the island of gods….