Mithymna (Molivos)

Mythimna is built at the island’s northwestern tip, 62 km from Mytilene. It is considered one of the island’s oldest settlements. Its name comes from the daughter of King Macar, the island’s first settler in mythology. In antiquity it was called Mythimna, while in the late Byzantine period it acquired the name Molyvos. The settlement is amphitheatrically built with the imposing castle crowning the hill. The castle was built by the Byzantines in the early 1300s and renovated by Francesco I Gattilusio in 1373. Cobblestone alleys and quaint shops make up the scene, and you will discover imposing mansions with “sachnisia,” a 19th-century architectural feature—wooden balconies resting on the stone walls of traditional buildings. One of Molyvos’ central lanes is known for the blooming “Wisteria,” which forms a natural tunnel. Since 1965, Molyvos has been listed as a protected settlement.