| About Samos
Samos is an island,
which combines history, stretching back tï
prehistoric times, and tradition with natural
beauty and is truly an ideal place for holidays.
Ôhe images here so vivid and interchangeable
as you take a walk in the island's woods,
across its plains, as you climb to the tops
of its mountains and descend its ravines towards
the seaside. A variety of sites await visitors
of every culture and interest such as sunny
beaches, archaeological areas, monasteries,
wildlife and fauna and flora. But you are
more likely to fall in love with Samos when
you establish relations of friendship with
its hospitable people.
The island of Samos is
the eighth biggest Greek island and lies in
the heart of the Central Aegean, 1,200 metres
from the shore of Asia Minor. It is shaped
like a peninsula, and according to the geologists
from various geological upheavals, which occurred
during the centuries, cut of this piece of
what have been the Asia Minor Coast. Samos
has the highest mountains in the Aegean. Mount
Kerkis with its wild beauty is ideal for climbing,
while Mount Karvounis is more accessible.
In general the island is ideal for walking
in nature and examining its wild life.
The Prefecture of Samos,
which apart from the island itself, includes
Ikaria and Fourni, has a population of 45,000.
Apart from its famous wine, it produces and
exports olive oil, vegetables, fruit, citrus
fruits, honey, ceramics and fish. The island
has a temperate climate, mild in summer and
cool in winter, while its fine beaches are
bathed in sunlight eight months of the year.
Samos is the birthplace
of the great mathematician and philosopher
Pythagoras, whose theories had great effect
ïn mathematics. In ancient times, a major
culture developed ïn the island and it
was the home of distinguished figures in the
world of the arts, literature, philosophy
and of thought. The great astronomer ïf
antiquity Aristarchus, a pupil of Euclid,
was born and worked on Samos. Aristarchus
was the first to claim that the earth moves
round the sõn, and at the same time
revolves on its own axis.
Hera, the goddess of
fertility and childbirth, was worshipped on
the island and a hundred-foot temple dedicated
to her was built during 7th century BC. The
ruins of the temples can be seen in the area
of Ireon (Heraion), whose name has been taken
from the goddess. Mythology also claims Samos
as the home of Poseidon, god of the sea, of
Dionysus, and of Áñïllï.
Although small in size, this island is known
throughout the world for its wine. Dionysus,
god of wine and of the vine, had a special
affection for the Samiots and taught them
viniculture.
Samos (area ca 500 sq.
km, population 50000 people) An island that
has not only been graced with exquisite beauty,
but with a rich cultural and historic heritage
as well. Despite the devastating fires of
1998 it still remains a “green island’
with pine forests, olive groves and citrus
trees. Its endless grapevines are the source
of the famous Samos wines. The greenery rolls
down the hills to the coast to give way to
beautiful beaches ending in clear blue Aegean
water.
One of the most powerful
ancient Greek goddesses, Hera, was born, raised
and worshiped here. Great philosophers were
also born on the island: Aristarchus was the
first to postulate that the Earth moves, Pythagoras-try
to think of a problem in Geometry or Trigonometry
that doesn’t involve his famous theorem,
Epicuros set a school of philosophy, bearing
his name, which more or less stipulates that
man is meant to have a good time.
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