HISTORY

History has played an important role for Leros since antiquity and continues to do so. Leros is an island located at the southern edge of the Aegean Sea with 8,500 inhabitants. It belongs to the Prefecture of the Dodecanese and lies near Patmos. With its 53 square kilometres and a 71 kilometre rugged coastline with beautiful beaches Leros is today one of the last small island paradises for all visitors searching for serenity and a simple, traditional life style. It offers relaxation to both the body and soul with peace of mind in wonderfully hospitable environment that will embrace you from the very first moment and invite you to feel at home. This is the reason why the local people emphatically declare: “Those who experience the island will never forget it.”

The Greek historian Pherekides, who according to most scholars, lived during the Hellenistic period, originated from Leros, as did the satirist Demodikos in 550 B.C..

The Byzantine period at the end of the 3rd century A.D. and onwards, enriched the island with exquisite examples of church architecture and fortification projects. The Castle at Panteli was built during this period. Also, the Castle of Lepida, known today as Palaikastro in the vicinity of remains of an even older wall of “Cyclopean” construction is dated to the Hellenistic period. It was used as a refuge by the inhabitants in the mid-Byzantine period. The Castle at Panteli towering over the villages of Agia Marina and Platanos is Leros’ most important medieval monument. Three surrounding walls, two of which date back to before 1087 and five churches, all survive today. The church of the Virgin Mary (Panagyia) at Kastro was built in the late 17th century, while the single-roomed church of Agia Triada dates back to mid-Byzantine years. The monk Damaskinos established a school at Kastro in 1726 to develop education on the island. Unfortunately, the school was closed in the middle of the 19th century.

The island hosts rare, Byzantine, ecclesiastical monuments such as the church of Agios Ioannis Theologos at Lakki with building phases date back to the 10th century, Agios Zacharias at Merikia, Agioi Apostoloi at Kamar, Agios Petros at Drymonas, Agios Georgios at Partheni, the Virgin Mary Gourlomata and the Basilica of Agia Barbara. In the Basilica, the crowns from the pillars and other marble, architectural parts found in the ruins of buildings from ancient Leros were used in the construction of it. There are also many small, single roomed churches of the post-Byzantine period scattered throughout the island. Remains of churches can also be found at Alinta in the church of Agion Tessarakonta as well as in the public hostel. Also, the church of Agios Nikolaos and the church of the Virgin Mary at Palaiokastro can be found in the western part of Xerokambos.