Mithymna

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Mithymna (Greek Μήθυμνα ( f sg ) ), also Methymna, is a small town with 1,390 inhabitants ( 2011) and the administrative seat of the municipality of the same name in the north of the Greek island of Lesbos. Despite the official name since 1919, with the ancient names of the name used since the Middle Ages Molyvos is still used ( Μόλυβος ( m. sg. ) ) In everyday language.

Location and cityscape

The city is in is on the north coast of the island of Lesbos, only about 5 nautical miles (9.5 km) from the Turkish mainland, but away from that, built on a mountain, on whose summit is a medieval castle located. It is located 62 km north west of Mytilene, the capital of the island, 6 km north of the popular seaside resort of Petra.

The car-free city with many small streets stairs that lead up the mountain, and twined streets in the center - the Agorá with numerous shops and restaurants - an original, almost medieval -sounding appearance.

The site is still influenced significantly by the time of the Turkish rule. Numerous built in traditional Turkish style houses from the 18th century are preserved. The lower floor is built of lapidary stones, the upper floor consists of jointed wood planks, towers - partially supported by carved beams - on the front of the ground floor and consequently forms a bay equipped with windows.

West beneath the city, a small natural harbor, which was provided with a jetty and is used as a fishing port.

Traditional houses in Mithymna

View from the harbor to the castle and town Mithymna

History

The existing since prehistoric settlement in the Archaic period witnessed a rapid upswing. In the 8th century BC the polis involved with the founding of Assos on the colonization of the opposite coast of Asia Minor and expanded to 600 BC with the conquest of Arisbe his property to one of the most fertile areas of the island. A native of Mithymna Arion of Lesbos was regarded as the most important Kitharöde his time. In the 5th century, the city was a member of the Delian League and put their own ship quota. In the Peloponnesian War, 428 Mithymna opposed the merger of the island towns and participated in - the only city on Lesbos - not in the survey against Athens. The rivalry with the larger Mytilene, which was ruled an oligarchy as opposed to democratically constituted Mithymna, should this have been a reason. It was not until 412 BC fell Mithymna from Athens, but was forced to re-entry into the Confederacy. 406 BC the city was conquered by Sparta, in its sphere of influence they remained until 386. A few years later, she teamed up again with Athens and belonged to 377 BC, founding member of the Second Athenian League. Under the tyrant Kleomis to Mithymna turned 340 back from Athens and refused active support in the war against Philip II of Macedon, which led to an unsuccessful military intervention Athens. In the 3rd century in Ptolemaic possession to Mythymna leaned on in the 2nd century BC, close to Rome, whose benevolent support it enjoyed until the Roman interest focused more on Mytilene. In the Middle Ages, the city was renamed Molybos. 1373 The Acropolis was built by the Genoese family Gattilusio. 1450 their territory during the landing of Turkish troops was severely devastated in 1457 she performed the siege by the Admiral Ismael successful resistance, but had to be 1462 surrendered without a fight to the Turks after the capitulation of Mytilene.

From the ancient districts of the archaic polygonal city walls remain from the 6th century BC, the ancient harbor remains of the pier.

Administrative divisions

Founded in 1918 independent rural community Molyvos ( Κοινότητα Μολύβου ) was renamed the following year in Mithymna ( Κοινότητα Μήθυμνης ). The status of a municipality ( Δήμος Μήθυμνης ) received Mithymna 1947. The incorporation of Efthalou took place in 1971 as well as Árgennos, Lepetymnos and Sykamineas 1997. Since the administrative reform in 2010 Mithymna forms with Árgennos, Lepetymnos and Sykaminéa the district Mythimna ( Δημοτική Ενότητα Μήθυμνας Dimotiki Enotita Mithymnas ) in the newly created municipality of Lesvos ( Δήμος Λέσβου ). He is according to area and population of the smallest district of the municipality.

Tourism

The community has a long beach where there are a range of leisure activities such as kite surfing, and a harbor, from which small boats to Skala Sikaminias ( Dial Skamjá ] ) drive. Also located in the vicinity ( in Eftaloú ) a hot spring. In the summer months a pool bus runs several times daily between Anaxos - Petra - Molyvos - Eftalou and back. Although Mithymna is the main tourist center of the island with Petra - this is evident in numerous scattered around hotel complexes - the place is very original remained. Mytilini is reached in about 1.5 hours by bus.