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| HISTORY
Initially joined to the Asia Minor Coast, Samos became separated from the mainland following enormous geological upheavals. According to the myth it was the birth place of goddess Hera. By being colonized by the Ionians around the first millennium BC, it was inhabited by Carians and Pelasgians. Samos knew its greatest glory in the 6th century BC. |
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| Subsequently
it was dominated by the Persians during the Persian Wars, later becoming
a member of the Athenian Confederacy. When Samos revolted against the
alliance, the Athenians laid waste the island in revenge. It was later
conquered by Macedonians, Ptolemies and Romans. |
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In
1204 it became a Frankish possession, remaining in Venetian hands until
1413, when the Genoese under the Giustiniani gained supremacy and ruled
the island together with Chios. In 1453 with the fall of Constantinople
to the Turks, the island was abandoned, its inhabitants fleeing to
Chios. In the 16th century Turkish attempts to resettle Samos succeeded.
The island remained under Turkish rule until 1912 when it was finally
united with Greece. |
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| SIGHTSEEING
The capital, Samos or Vathy, lies in the eastern part of the island. It is one of its three major ports, the other two being Karlovassi and
Pythagorion. There is an archeological museum here with local finds, plus a museum of ecclesiastical art, a fine arts museum, Byzantine collection, folk art museum and library. |
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Excavations,
undertaken primarily by the German School, have unearthed ruins of
houses and the ancient acropolis at Pythagorion within a perimeter of
approximately 6,400 meters. While the walls enclose an ancient theatre
and cemetery, the most important structure is the water tunnel of
Efpalinus, discovered in 1881. Other ruins near Pythagorion include a
sanctuary to Hera, whose oldest section has been dated to the 10th
century BC. |
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| In
the 7th century the old temple was replaced by a new one designed by the
architect Rhoikos. The largest in Greece, it was destroyed by fire in
538 BC. other buildings in the area belong to the Hellenistic and Roman
periods. near the village of Kosmadaisi lies the cave of Pythagoras,
which tradition maintains was used by the great
philosopher-mathematician as a refuge. |
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Samos
possesses a host of Byzantine churches and monasteries, of which the two
most important are about 25 km. from the capital. The monastery of the
Holy Cross was founded in 1582, followed shortly thereafter by that of
the Megali Panayia (Great Virgin). Both contain remarkable frescoes,
icons and beautifully carved icon screens. Slightly older is the
monastery of the Virgin Vrontiani (1566) near the village of Vourliotes. |
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| Another church, the 11th century church of Our Lady, lies near Karlovassi at Potami. Both Agios Haralambos and Our Lady Makrini, on the west coast of the island near Kallithea, have frescoes painted in the 14th century. Samos is ideal for excursions by boat or on foot, swimming and water sports. Kokkari, a charming seaside village with a wonderful beach, is near the capital. The north-east section of the island near the Kotsikas peninsula, is a fun place to explore. |
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From
here on can get to the islets opposite, Makronisi and Agios Nikolaos.
Boats leave from Laka for Kasonisi and from Marathakampo for Samopoula.
These uninhabited islands are wonderful for bathing and picnics. The
beaches at Karlovassi, Potami and all along the coast from Heraion to
Psili Ammo are perfect for swimming and water sports, while hikers and
hunters will want to head for the mountains. |
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| Samos is blessed
with very varied scenery, ranging from rugged mountain peak to verdant
valleys and delightful shores. It lush environment combined with its
extensive tourist facilities account for the crowds of tourists that
flood it every summer. |
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