The Monument

The Petrified Forest of Lesvos is a petrified forest ecosystem made up of hundreds of lying and standing fossilized tree trunks which were covered by volcanic material and petrified in place 20 million years ago. Layers of volcanic ash have revealed pieces of trunk, branches, roots, seeds and leaves as well as fossilized animal bones. Important concentrations of fossilized remains can also be found in the marine and seashore zones of western Lesvos. The region of the Petrified Forest is further characterized by impressive volcanic geotopes, witnesses of the intense volcanic activity in the past. This region could be characterized as a window on the geohistoric development of the Aegean over the last 20 million years. A Presidential decree (433/1985) has established the forest as a protected national monument. A founding member of the European Geopark Network since 2000, the Petrified Forest of Lesvos was included in the Global Geoparks Network of UNESCO in 2004.

Due to its great ecological value, a great part of western Lesvos (16600 hectares) under the name the “Petrified Forest – Western Peninsula of Lesvos” is included in the “Natura 2000” list of important areas for natural protection in the European Union. The area is characterized by three important ecological regions: the western peninsula zone which includes the Petrified Forest with its micro-environments which host rare and threatened species of flora and fauna, a marine zone around the rocky islet of Nisiopi or Megalonisi, and the pine forest of Pteroudas – Parakilon in which exists the Rhododendron luteum, unique to Greece.

The rich cultural history of the region of the Petrified Forest includes two of six ancient towns of Lesvos: Antissa- birthplace of the musician and poet Terpander – and Eressos – birthplace of the poet Sappho and the great father of modern philosophy, Theophrastus, who is also considered the father of modern ecology. The acropolis of Eressos, the early Christian Basilica of Agios Andreas, the Ipsilou, Perivolis and Pitharios monasteries and the Sigri castle are some of the most important monuments of the region. Also to be seen are many examples of folk architecture such as bridges, watermills, traditional olive presses as well as various stone structures for farming which bear witness to the long presence of mankind in the region, as well as a unique folk tradition which remains alive due to the efforts and high spirits of the area’s inhabitants.