Castle of Molyvos, Lesbos

About the museum

In 1355 Emperor John V gave Lesbos as a dowry to his sister Maria Palaiologina, on her marriage to the Genoese Francesco I Gattilusio. The Gattilusi rebuilt the ruined castle of Methymna on the summit of a rocky hill and cultivated olive trees with zeal. According to the most widely accepted theory, the name Molyvos derives from the Frankish “Mont d’olives”, that is, mountain of olive trees.

The castle is built of reddish and brown trachyte and blends fully with the stone houses of the village. Ten tall towers reinforced the fortification, which has three successive gates, while the buildings inside date from the Ottoman period. According to tradition, the first Ottoman siege ended ignominiously when Orietta Doria, daughter of the Genoese commander, put on armour and fought on the battlements. Lesbos was finally subjected to Mehmed II in 1462, and Molyvos became the administrative and military centre of northern Lesbos until its liberation in 1912. The ascent from the village is fairly demanding.

Highlights

• Ten towers and three successive gates
• Castle of reddish and brown trachyte
• Ottoman buildings inside
• View from the summit of the hill

Operated by

Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Λέσβου

Admission & discounts

Free admission: 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October, and every first and third Sunday of the month from 1 November to 31 March.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The castle stands at the top of the village of Methymna (Molyvos), about 17 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by car from the harbour.

Amenities & dining

The site has toilets and a car park.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.