Excursions
Plomari
18 smaller villages – the Plomaria – and was the largest farming and industrial center in the region. The great fires of 1841-1843 destroyed Megalohori, and even to this day you’ll frequently hear it referred to as Kameno Horio (Burnt Village). Nestled among the trees, it is situated at an altitude of 600 meters and justifiably is called the Switzerland of Lesvos. The great frost of 1850 destroyed the olive trees, forcing the inhabitants of Megalohori to move down to the sea. Hence the founding of modern Plomari, which until the early 20th century was called Potamos after the small Sedountas River that runs through it. The route through the olive and pine trees, the beauty of the village and the hospitality of its inhabitants make for an unforgettable experience. Keep an eye out for the local honey – it’s among the best in Greece! Nearby you’ll find the olive oil press run by the Protoulis family, which produces the prize-winning Aegean Gold olive oil.
tainside three kilometers outside Megalohori. This abandoned village awaits reconstruction by some local entrepreneur who will turn it into a tourist destination. Across the mountain is Palaiohori, the largest and most active village in the Plomari district.
Ambeliko
Ambeliko is a village buried in the gully that descends from Mt Olympos and joins the Vourkos River below. Pine trees and running water, deserted chapels, quaint coffeehouses, a lovely church, a medieval castle and traces of Roman ruins compose its picture. There is a small coffeehouse whose proprietors are happy to treat you to whatever they’ve got cooking in the pot or fry up some eggs from their free-range hens with potatoes and local feta. Not to be missed!
Boros: A Village Apart
Boros is located 16 kilometers outside Plomari. Also known as Neohori, Boros is an old Kournela-Palaiohori village of unique beauty built on the steep The village of Kournela climbs up the moun- slope of a concave cliff over the Prionas
Lesvos Guide 105