There is the cliché that you can find a wonder wherever you might look, even behind the most conspicuous corners. Yet there are still must-sees that make Leros a one-of-kind destination for everyone that visits the island and elevates the experience and the visit to whole new levels:
1. St. Isidorus monastery
Perhaps the most picturesque church on the island of Leros, the monastery of St. Isidorus is a truly unique spectacle. Surrounded by a thin veil between legend and myth, the small church lies in the middle of the sea, sometimes revealing its path to the visitors, sometimes being cut off by the sea. It makes the perfect destination for a marriage or a christening that will forever be fondly forged in your memory. You can find St. Isidorus in Gourna Bay, in Leros.
2. Agia Kiura
With more than 3000 years of history, not all of Greek history can be bright. Yet the monuments of the darkest days are the ones that should never be forgotten. Αgia Kiura stands as one of those monuments, a testament towards the fight against non-democratic regimes. This little chapel was painted by profound Greek exiles during the time of the military dictatorship in Greece, under the instructions of Manolis Glezos, the man who as an adolescent, took down the German occupation flag from the Acropolis. The iconography doesn’t follow the typical orthodox style but rather draws inspiration from the pain of the exile, making the place so unique that was characterized as a modern art monument by the Greek Art Ministry.
3. War Museum of Leros.
Spoiler alert: this is not your run-of-the-mill museum. If you expect the typical, grand building, filled with field guns, tanks, and machine guns, that impresses with stature yet fails to inspire fragments of the actual wartime experience, you will be disappointed. Yet again, if you value experience, atmosphere, and the eerie feeling of the common soldier hidden beneath the earth, then this is the place for you. Located in Italian catacombs beneath the surface of the earth, left there ever since the occupation of the island, the War Museum of Leros is a small testament to what war museums should really feel like, transferring the out worldly vibes of wartime to the visitors. There, one can find weapons that are unearthed and gifted by the locals, medical supplies, medals of honor, equipment, and, generally speaking, a fragment of a dark story that must never be forgotten…
4. Panagia Kavouradaina (Virgin Mary Kavouradaina)
Even though Leros is connected with several legends that link the religion with the sea, Panagia Kavouradaina remains one of the greatest stories-legends of the island. In both versions of the legend, the icon of the Virgin Mary, who is painted within a large crab (hence the name Kavouradaina: Virgin Mary of the crabs), was “rescued” by fishermen, and at the point of the discovery of the icon, the small stone-built church was erected. The utilitarian inside of the church, in which an adult can barely fit, is built literally within the rocks, thus making one of the most picturesque chapels of Leros, as well as a true treasure and reminder of the connection between the island and the sea.
5. Virgin Mary of the Castle (Panagia tou Kastrou)
Leros has a very long history and a presence that dates back several centuries. A true relic from the Middle Ages, from the troubled byzantine period of war on icon, also referred to as iconoclasm, the Virgin Mary of the Castle carries a history longer than the history of some nations. Being that as it may, the only thing surpassing the spectacular view of the monastery is the number of miracles connected to it. After all, legend has it that the Virgin Mary was painted by the evangelist St. Loukas himself…
6. The Castle of Leros
A treasure as important as the Virgin Mary of Castle should be well guarded, more so when considering the legends of how the locals came along the icon. The most fitting place of course, would be the local Castle of Leros, in the area of Panteli and Platanos. Overlooking the Aegean Sea and most of Leros, the castle has stood tall ever since the time of the great Byzantine generals of the 7th century. Its long history is even more pronounced by the official decrees of several Byzantine emperors of the past, documented by their imperial seals, known as “chrysoboula”.
7. Lakki Architecture
Now, we know this is kinda cheating, using the same old cliche, but bear with us for a moment. Most of Lakki was constructed during the Italian occupation period, following some very elegant art deco and Bauhaus design lines. Lakki is a true time capsule, full of vibes and curves that screams “roaring 20s” as vibrantly as it did the day it was built. A true architectural paradise, taken out of a perfect drawing board and placed at the shores of one of the best natural harbors of the whole Mediterranean Sea… Is there anything more to ask?
8. Mount Patella & Parabolic Acoustic Wall
Mount Patella is an incredibly fascinating historical spot from World War II. It’s got the Telecommunications Center of FAM-DICAT and all sorts of military stuff. One of the most amazing things there is the Parabolic Acoustic Wall, which was made
0o detect enemy planes using sound reflection – it covers a full 360°!
The wall was extremely important for Leros’ air defense system. Military peeps, called “listeners,” would figure out which way enemy planes were coming from. They’d send the info to the aerophone for more analysis, and then the gunners would get ready to shoot at the incoming planes. The wall had a listening range of 24 kilometers, so they had plenty of time to prepare.
Nowadays, Mount Patella is like an open-air museum, showing off the cool tech and strategic importance of Leros during World War II. Thanks to conservation efforts, the Parabolic Acoustic Wall has been restored and is now a one-of-a-kind piece of history that future generations can enjoy.
Leros offers a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors, with its eight wonders that showcase the island’s history, culture, and natural beauty. From the picturesque St. Isidorus monastery to the modern art monument of Ayia Kioura, from the haunting War Museum of Leros to the historic Belleni Tower, and from the miraculous Virgin Mary of the Castle to the well-guarded Castle of Leros, the island has much to offer in terms of sightseeing and exploration. Additionally, Lakki serves as a time capsule of elegant art deco and Bauhaus design, offering a glimpse into the past. Leros is truly a hidden gem in the Aegean Sea, waiting to be discovered by those seeking a unique and authentic travel experience.
