The Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest
The Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest was established in 1994 in order to study, research, promote, preserve and protect this invaluable "testimonial" of life in the distant past.
The year 2000 marked the establishment of the European Geopark Network, its objective being the cooperation of geologic parks and monuments at a European level for the development of geotourism. The Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest is a founding member of this network.
In 2001, the museum was awarded the Eurosite Management Award for its effective management of the Lesvos Petrified Forest. In February of 2004, the Petrified Forest of Lesvos was inducted into the Global Geopark Network of UNESCO.
The Petrified Forest The Petrified Forest of Lesvos is one of the most fascinating and rare monuments of geological heritage in the world. Its creation, 20.000 000 year ago is connected with the intense volcanic activity in the Aegean during the Miocene period. In 1985, the forest was declared a Protected Natural Monument.
Tourism Visitors to Lesvos have a number of alternatives if they wish to visit the various concentrations of fossilised trunks. In order to take full advantage of the park, however, first they should pay a visit to Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest in the village of Sigri to get trail and park information. Museum displays include finds from the Petrified Forest and an account of the geological history of the evolution of the Aegean, from the processes which led to the creation of the Petrified Forest 20 million years ago up to the present-day ecosystems. Then visitors can either visit the Petrified Forest Park, the Sigri Park, the Plaka Park, the Nisiopi islet protected area, or choose routes on foot which link the fossil areas.
Education According to its educational policy, the Museum runs educational programs for school groups, students and families, tours for adults, and educational seminars in order to familiarize the general public with the Petrified Forest, its natural history and the geological heritage of the earth.
