The most ancient Neolithic settlement in the Aegean was discovered at Kaminia of Limnos. On Voroskopos's cave, four settlements were found, one built on the top of the other. The first one belonged to an unfortified town of the Bronze Age, the second
one used to be a pre-Mycenean town, and on the last layer, there were two Neolithic towns. The end of the last settlement was in 1,600 BC and was probably destroyed by a big earthquake. It is believed that the earthquake was caused by the geological changes which happened after the eruption of the volcano in Santorini.
The excavation findings showed that Poliochni was culturally developed and had a close relationship with Troy. These findings are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Mirina.
Kavirio lies on the Chloe location, 3 km north of Ifaistia. In 1937, excavations brought to light the sanctuary of Kavirio, which is said to be older than the one on Samothraki. The findings were separated by a trench.
On one side, there was the "Telestirio" or Initiation Hall, a palace and an arcade. On the other side, there was a larger "Telestirio" with twelve Doric columns from the Hellenistic period.
Many inscriptions which inform us about the sanctuary and the most significant towns of Limnos were also found there.
The Archaeological Museum of Mirina stands in Romaikos Gialos and is housed in the old goverment house. It occupies two floors of the building. In the six rooms of the ground floor, one can see findings from Mirina, Ifaistia and Kavirio. There are also base reliefs, statuettes, pots, and sculptures from the Archaic to the Hellenistic era.
In the nine rooms of the first floor, one can admire findings found in the excavations from the prehistoric settlement of Poliochni.
Ifaistia, which is known today as Palaiopoli has been settled since prehistoric times. It was the most important town on the island in the 5th century BC, when it joined the Athenian League. Excavations brought to light residences, a sanctuary, which was destroyed in the 6th century BC, a large 8th century BC necropolis and a Roman theatre.
Athina was worshipped here and her sanctuary used to be north of the town, in Komi.
The cave of Philoctetes is one of the most significant sights on the village of Kondopouli. It is on the outskirts of Kavirio. According to tradition, the cave where the Homeric hero used to live is connected underground with the sanctuary of the Kaviri. This
has not been proved though since the cave is on the edge of the cliff.
The Church of Christ stands on the picturesque village of Kondias. This large church is surrounded by a spacious courtyard and garden. Its two tall stone bell-towers, along with the white of the precinct, create an irresistible picture. Inside, one can admire notable old icons.
The church of Zoodochos Pigi lies on the peak of a hillock near the fishing port of Kotsinas, north of Repanidi. Many people visit the church to admire its wood-carved screen and the
Byzantine icons, but also to see the statue of the Lemnian heroine
Maroula, which stands nearby. The statue is dedicated to the young
heroine Maroula who, when enclosed within the castle, whose ruins have still been saved, faught the Turks by herself, in the 15th century.
The traditional building in which the "Karatzadios Library" of Mirina is housed, stands in the town's market place. It includes many literary works and writings about the history of the island.
In the middle of the town of Mirina rises a rock, on the top of which a Byzantine fortress is built. It was constructed by Andronikos Komninos the 1st, but its enlargements were made by the Enetians and Ioanni Justiniani. The fortress has been built over Pelasgian walls, a fact that is proved by the remnants of a polygonal wall building and by the steps that have been carved on the rock.
The only permanent inhabitants of the fortress today are the wild deers of the area.
The monastery of Agios Sozon stands on the small village of Skandali, on the southern most edge of Limnos. On its feast day on the 7th of September, there is a big festival. The landscape here becomes sandy and remote, thus the name "Sahara of Limnos".
One of the most significant sights of Moudros, the island's old capital, is the Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin. This large
church stands at the town centre and on its feast day on the 25th of March, it attracts pilgrims from all over the island.
On the edge of the beach of Mirina stands the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier/Sailor. It was made by the sculptor Theodoros Karadeos to honour the dead of World War II.
Theodoros Karadeos was a professor in the USA, but he decided to return to Limnos. He came back in 1937, and after the war's end, he made this statue as a reminder of the devastations of war.
http://www.areianet.gr/infoxenios/
