Vareltzidaina's Mansion

The Vareltzidaina Mansion stands in northern Lesvos, in the coastal settlement of Petra. It dates to the late 18th–early 19th century and is an important example of Lesvos’ late Ottoman period. Its architecture follows the typical layout of manor houses, usually built at the center of walled rural estates. The building has two storeys. The stone-built ground floor has few openings, preserving the sense of a tower. Upstairs, the rooms are arranged around a central hall and adorned with exquisite woodcarving (domed ceiling rosettes, paneled doors, complex built-in cupboards, shelves and wall niches), as well as movable furniture such as sofrades (low tables), stools and chests. Particularly notable are the wall paintings—excellent examples of folk art—with scenes of seaside towns, anthemia, garlands of flowers, etc.