Meet the wonderful Samos Island!

Photo by Nikos Chatziiakovou

Samos is an island ruled by legend and beauty. It is the island of the father of mathematics, Pythagoras, the astronomer Aristarchus and the philosopher Epicurus.

It is the home of Hera and the land that hosted Herodotus and Aesop. An important center of trade in the Aegean and a major naval force in antiquity, it came into contact with important Mediterranean cultures.

It is no accident that the great historian Herodotus considered Samos first among all Greek and barbarian cities. The centre of Ionian civilization, the island saw times of indescribable splendour, which still remains. Even today, its proximity to the coast of Asia Minor makes the island a “bridge” between the two cultures, a difference that did not hinder the co-existence, cooperation and friendship of the two peoples living across the water from each other.

 

The mythical birthplace of Hera, Samos is home to the largest temple in Greece (according to Herodotus) at the seaside settlement of Heraion, dedicated exclusively to the goddess of marriage and women. Of its 155 gigantic columns, only one still stands and is indicative of the scale of this place of religious worship that includes ruins of at least three earlier temples.

 

Samos is a place of overwhelming vegetation. Everything around in the virgin landscape is made of colour and light. Each step one takes is a revelation. Whether in the imposing mountains, such as Mt. Kerkis and Mt. Ambelos -with alpine winter temperatures and endless rain- or in caves and canyons, the environment of Samos reminds one of the Greek hinterland in miniature.

 

Walk along Mt. Kerkis, from Votsalakia in Marathocampos, to its peak, Mt. Vigla, at an altitude of 1,400m. Along your hike you will see over 1,400 species of rare plants, many of which are endemic to the island, as well as dozens of species of birds of prey.

 

Wander around the settlements, along old cobble streets, and see Sarakinoi Tower, a magnificent structure of the 16th century, a true fort of its era.

Visit the convents of Zoodochos Pigi Ailiotissa, Agia Zoni, with its splendid library, and Timios Stavros, with is impressive throne. Climb the steps to Panagia Sarandaskaliotissa, built at the entrance of Pythagoras’ Cave, where the ancient Greek mathematician found refuge when being persecuted by tyrant Polycrates.

The terrain of Samos is a challenge to those who choose to ride mountain bikes on their travels. Each summer, an increasing number of cyclists, fully equipped for their adventures, visit the trail. Local cyclists meet at the architecturally innovative chapel of Agios Ioannis, at Potami, above the pebble beach of Potamos, and ride towards Karlovassi, Konstantinos and Kokkari. Birdwatchers set up near the Alyki habitat or Glyfada Lake to photograph herons, Dalmatian pelicans and pink flamingos that rest here before continuing their migration. When the flamingos ascend into the sky at dusk, their colour mingles with the red sunset, creating a visual extravagance that visitors can’t forget.

When the heat covers the island like a blanket, those in the know start their journey to Karlovassi waterfalls early in the day. The larger of the two waterfalls is five meters high and one has to climb 60 wooden steps to reach the clearing offering a panoramic view of the waterfall.

Pythagoreion, built on the ruins of the ancient city of Samos, is home to what many call the eighth wonder of antiquity -and engineers agree. In 550 BC, the architect Eupalinos undertook the task of constructing a 1,036m tunnel, at the order of tyrant Polycrates, to connect the two sides of the mountain and supply water to the ancient capital of Samos.

This innovative aqueduct had to be invisible to enemies, so as not to be destroyed and leave the people of Samos without water. Eupalinos was such a great engineer that, through mathematical calculations alone, he began digging this two-way tunnel on both sides of the mountain simultaneously!

A decade later, the two crews met at the middle of the mountain with no deviation whatsoever! In fact, to give the slave workers an incentive, Eupalinos made a promise, which he kept: upon completion of the work, he set the slaves free. This is indeed the work of a true engineering genius.

Samos does not only feature important monuments and historical tales, nor just mountains and hiking trails. Above all else, Samos is a modern island, with immaculately organized beaches, such as Tsamados and Lemonakia, Votsalakia in Marathocampos, Chryssi Ammos (Golden Sand), which more than lives up to its name, and Psili Ammos (Fine Sand), where, according to the people of Samos, one can hear the roosters across the water in Turkey, crow at dawn. If you are of an athletic persuasion, you can enjoy the beach volley tournaments organized every year at Livadaki beach and Potokaki at Pythagoreion. If you prefer relaxation and unobstructed contact with nature, Mikri Tsambou, Kerveli and Saitania should be your top choices.

Samos is a multi-faceted island. It’s cosmopolitan if you stay at Samos Town (Vathy), Kokkari or Pythagoreion. It is isolated if you prefer Marathocampos, Kerveli or Mykali. It is an island of long nights and revelling, as well as a place of peace, ideal for rest, relaxation and contemplation.

If you wish to please your palate, the best opportunity to taste all iterations of Samos Muscat is the wine festival organized during the first ten days of August at Vathy, where you only pay for a glass and refill it as many times as you like – or can handle.

Samos wine has its own history. The Vatican once kept its own winery on the island and today, the Catholic Church has conceded the privilege of producing church wine for Holy Communion to the island.

Samos Muscat holds a special place in the French wine market, one of the most demanding in the world, and has won numerous international accolades, while its rich, fruity aroma continues to win over an increasing number of fans.

One can only cheat on Muscat with local wine or souma, a beverage made of the same grape variety as the renowned wine. However, no one should leave Samos without a bottle of virgin olive oil and a jar of thyme honey.

This is Samos. Each turn of the road is a revelation. It is a fertile, hospitable island that knows how to follow a natural pace, but also how to satisfy the desire of people for genuine entertainment - especially in August, during ‘Manolis Kalomoiris’ Music Festival or ‘Heraia-Pythagoreia’ Festival, with numerous drama performances at the ancient theatre of Pythagoreion, from spring until autumn, the rock music festival usually organized at Heraion for a weekend each summer and, of course, the feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus, held at Pythagoreion in August, where residents and visitors enjoy the resplendent firework show over the harbour.

Source: Tourist Guide of North Aegean Region
Photos by Nikos Chatziiakovou