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The town / village of Pythagorion on Samos in Greece
The small town of Pythagorion and the village of Ireon lie in a plain in the southeast of the island, and here is also the airport of Samos. The runway of the island is small and the arrival and departure to Samos is quite an experience. After the plane has landed they will fully pull all the brakes and on takeoff all the engines are completely opened. By the way: there is not much noise or inconvieniance from the planes if you are staying in these villages because there are not so many flights to the island and especially not in the nights. This plain, known as the coastal plain of Chora, was the main historic site in ancient times. Here for example the famous tyrant Polycrates ruled and Pythagoras lived and philosophized here. In the 6th century AD under the reign of Polycrates they began to build what had to become the largest temple in Greece, the Hera Temple, which remains can be seen in Ireon. The Aqueduct of Eupalinos and the pier in Pythagorion are also to be regarded as technical masterpieces. Between Pythagorion and Ireon is a kilometers long sandy beach along which are some hotels and apartment complexes, but towards the direction of Ireon large areas of the beach are empty and untouched and there is still place for nudists, especially in low season (it is not an official nudist beach, but we always swim without our clothes here). |
Pythagorion is a busy tourist resort in the southeast of samos island. The village owes its name to the famous Pythagoras, whose statue stands in the harbour front. In the village there are many shops, hotels and restaurants, and also there is plenty of sightseeing to do. There is the Aqueduct of Eupalinus, the Castle Lykourgos Logothetis and the early christian basilica, and there are many more remains from antiquity like the thermal baths and the temple of Aphrodite (see "Samos Sights" - button on top).
From Pythagorion there are daytrips by boat to the islands of Samioupoula or Agathonissi. You can also make a boattrip along the coast or to Psili Amos Beach. The beach is Pythagorion is long and pretty good. From Pythagorion you can take ferries to several other islands.
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A little bit more about PythagorionPythagorion has a cozy harbor front with a wide choice of restaurants, cocktail bars and ice cream parlors in the street and in the main street leading from the harbour you will find all kinds of shops, pita giros snackbars and small supermarkets. If you are just looking for some souvenirs, sunscreen lotion or a new beach towel there is also plenty of choice. In the main street you can also buy tickets for the ferries that depart from Pythagorion to the other nearby islands such as Agathonissi, Patmos, Leros and Kalymnos. Pythagorion has about 1,500 inhabitants and in this town most of the accommodations of the island can be found. Pythagorion and another village, Kokkari, live almost solely on tourism. However big hotels like those you can encounter on some of the other Greek islands you will hardly find on Samos. During the daytime Pythagorion may look relatively quiet, but when night falls and everyone goes out to eat than it can get very busy, especially in the port where most tavernas are situated. In this harbour there are two piers for the boats. The largest of these two piers is built on the remains of the pier that was constructed in the 6th century BC under the reign of the tyrant Polycrates. On the shorter pier, which is used by the fishing boats, there is a statue dedicated to Pythagoras. The promenade between the two piers is made free of cars during te evenings (and in daytime there is close to no traffic here as well). In the village are a few small pebble beaches where you can rent a parasol and a beachbed, but for the better beach you just walk into the main street and the turn to the left after a while. There is also a large public parking. On either side of the main street and at various other places in the city you can find remnants of antiquity. |
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Pythagorion in antiquityIn antiquity Pythagorion was surrounded by a nearly six-and-a-half kilometer long wall which was up to 6 meter high and 5 meter thick. In this wall there were 12 gates and there were 35 towers and fortifications. At that time there were probably about 15,000 to 20,000 people living in the town of Pythagorion. In the Hellenistic era, this wall was modernized two times and also the Byzantines restored parts of it. Remains of this wall can still be seen in various places, for example if you walk along the coast towards the Castle Logothetis, and on the slope of the Ampelos hill just outside the center of the town. In another spot, namely directly at the beach next to the Doryssa Bay Hotel there are a number of brick columns from the 6th century. These pillars are 6 meter high and they were probably part of some kind of hall. |
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The Sanctuary of HeraionThis sanctuary is one of the most famous sights of Samos and is located 6 kilometres from the village of Pythagorio. It was build because people believed that the goddess Hera (Zeus’s wife) was born on the island of Samos. The first temple was built during prehistoric times and destroyed by invaders. During the 7th and 8th century BC it was rebuild and then destroyed again by the soldiers of the King of Persia. The actual temple is the one built under the rule of Polycrates. It was built according to the Doric and Ionic order with beautiful decorations. The statue of the godess Hera was standing in the middle of the sanctuary. Only remains of the temple can be visited today as well as the remains of thermal baths, of the grand altar and the pavilion of a Roman temple. For more pictures of the temple see the Hera Temple page. |
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Sights in and near Pythagorion - The Castle Lykourgos Logothetis
Located in the village of Pythagorion, this tower was built in the 19th century by Lykourgos Logothetis, leader of the Revolution of Samos against the Turks, in protection against the Turkish attacks. In the yard of the castle there are two Roman galleries and the remains of churches dating from the late Christian period. Logothetis defeated the Turks and the Metamorfosis church next to the house was build to honour the victory. The castle was very rapidly built in 1824 on a hill and to build it the foundations and the stones were used from the old palace of Polycrates, which previously had been standing on this strategic place. On August the 6th 1824 the people of Samos "with the help of Christ" achieved a victory over the much larger Turkish army and after this they proclaimed the independence of Samos. All states in a triomph bow in front of the church. Between the church and the castle lie the village graveyard and a couple of small archaeological discoveries (remains of columns, an early christian basilica, low walls and large stones). |
The Archeological Museum in Pythagorion - SamosA museum with many finds from around the island of Samos. The museum houses the archaic sculpture collection, including the famous colossal Kouros. The Kouros was made during the rule of Polycrates, and everything that he undertook had to be grand and powerful. Many of the original artifacts from the Heraion are here. |
Panagia Spiliani Monastery - Pythagorion
A little to the northwest of Pythagorion, on the island of Samos, there is a monastery of Panagia Spiliani (the Cave of the Virgin Mary) with 95 steps that lead down into a big cave with a church that is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Inside this church it contains a very faded and old tiled/marble icon of the Panagia Spiliotisa. The small shrine is located at 125 meter altitude on the hill Ampelos and there is a terrace where you can order a drink or buy a souvenir. From here there is a nice view of the great coastal plain and the sea. In the very back of the cave lies the small church with a number of icons that are faded and covered with a cloth. On the left side of the cave water is dripping into a bowl. This water is said to have healing powers. |
The Ancient Theatre of PythagorionThe ruins of this ancient theatre are situated in the village of Pythagorio, near the Monastery of Spiliani and are believed to be the ruins of the theatre of an ancient town which was standing where Pythagorio is today. |
Roman baths and mosaic floors in Pythagorion
Half a mile south of Pythagorion, on the route to the airport, on the west side of the road are the remains of a large Hellenistic gymnasium. In Roman times, the western part of this was converted to a public bath. You can see low walls and marble floors and on the site are also a Roman mosaic floor and an early Christian basilica. The site is open tuesday to sunday from 9.30 (wednesday 10.30) t0 14.30 and the entrance is free. The stone columns that you see on the picture here were supports for a floor with underfloor heating. Close to the building there was a basement where servants would produce heat which was then directed under the floor. |
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The Aqueduct of Eupalinus and the old city walls in PythagorionThis aquaduct is one of the most impressive works made under the rule of the tyrant Polycrates (build between 529 and 524 BC). It is a tunnel-aquaduct of a total length of 1350 metres right through a mountain, with a portal bearing an inscription built at its entrance. It was build by slaves to supply the town with water. They started digging it on two sides and then met eachother in the middle: quite an achievement. The water itself actually did not run through the tunnel but through pipelines that were situated 4 to 9 meters lower. It took 5 and a half years to dig the tunnel after which they could start digging the pipeline from inside the tunnel. The tunnel is situated a little outside Pythagorio and it is opened to public except on mondays 08.30-14.00. The sighs "tunnel" and "orygma" lead to the tunnel. If you walk from the parking area to the tunnel of Eupalinos you will walk past the remains of city walls. The contours of the walls and how they run are clearly visible and you can recognize a few guard towers. From here you can also see a large part of the island of Samos, like the airport and the salt pans. |
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Hotel Glicorisa Beach in Pythagorion on the island of SamosWithin 3 km of Pythagorion town in Samos, this quiet, family-run hotel is 10 km from the airport and 15 minutes from the main port town of Samos. Established in 1980 and renovated in 2001, the hotel is built amphitheatrically on a hill, overlooking the Turkish coasts and the natural Glicorisa Bay. There is a private beach right next to the pine trees. On the restaurant’s large veranda, we serve your breakfast or dinner as a buffet that covers all tastes. The beach bar serves all kinds of drinks, beverages, ice creams and snacks. In the hotel lounge, you can also find our old fashioned Greek bar with its local wood decoration. Check availabity and prices and book the Hotel Glicorisa Beach in Pythagorion CLICK HERE |
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Hotel Naftilos in Pythagorion on the island of SamosBuilt in the idyllic landscape of Pythagorean in Samos,Naftilos hotel is reflecting style, taste of the Aegean. With the philosophy of European standards, the facilities and service that are offered by our personnel correspond to all needs of our guests.Sunny rooms, airy, each one directed with view to the sea, beautiful verandas, hospitable spaces of recreation, gardens with the architecture and flowers of island, pal colors, sunlit swimming-pool, all given with the positive energy, grin and the warmth that distinguishes the people. Check availabity and prices and book the Hotel Glicorisa Beach in Pythagorion CLICK HERE |
Hans Huisman, www.angelfire.com/super2/greece 2007 2008