Archaeological Site of the Sanctuary of Mesos

The Sanctuary of Messon lies in the valley of the same name, and its name is owed to its position in the middle of the island. The Sanctuary of Messon, a pan-Lesbian cult center and seat of the “Koinon of the Lesbians,” is within the territory of ancient Pyrra. It is an Ionic temple (late 4th or early 3rd c. BC) of the pseudoperipteral type. In the Archaic period, the first cult building was erected, remains of which survive within the foundations of the Late Classical temple (330–300 BC). The sanctuary, according to the prevailing view, was dedicated to the Lesvian Triad (Zeus, Hera, Dionysos). After its destruction in the Late Roman era, the site took on a workshop function, evidenced by seven kilns. In the Early Christian period, a cemetery basilica was founded on the floor of the ancient temple. This was succeeded by a Middle Byzantine single-nave chapel dedicated to Archangel Michael.