DODEKANISOS SEAWAYS - ΝΑΥΤΙΛΙΑΚΗ ΕΤΑΙΡΕΙΑ - TRAVEL GUIDE

LIPSI

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Area 16 sq. klm Population 687 inhabitants

Virtual Tours: Panoramic Photos

The small island of Leipsoi is 11 miles east of Patmos. It lends its name to a group of islands that includes twenty-four islets and six rocks, the biggest of which are Arefousa, Aspronisia, Markonisi, Kaparonisi, Piato, Psomo, Pilavi, Stavri, Lira and Kouloura.

The name of the island is very old and we find it as "Lepsia" in early Christian inscriptions. From the archaeological findings and other sources we can conclude that Leipsoi was initially inhabited by Dorians and later Ions from Militos. In the Byzantine era, Leipsoi was part of Kivyrairoi Thema. Emperor Alexios 1^st Komninos donated Patmos and Leipsoi to Saint Christodoulos (end of 11^th beginning of 12th century). In the following years Leipsoi were dominated by the Franks, the Knights of Rhodes, the Turks and the Italians before the island joined Greece in 1948, together with the other islands of Dodecanese.

HISTORICAL LANDMARKS & MONUMENTS

Ancient Acropolis. Located SE of the settlement of Leipsoi, at the top of the elevation known as the Kastro, the acropolis extends over a number of terraces, on the highest of which there are the remains of ancient buildings, blocks of stone and rubble from fallen masonry, tiles, the remains of fortifications, etc.

Ancient settlement at Kouselio. At Kouselio, SE of the settlement, there are the remains of an ancient community, including the remains of walls, architectural fragments, tiles, pottery shards, the counter-weight used in an olive press, etc. The settlement would appear to have flourished during the classical, Helleno-Roman and early Christian periods and then gone into decline in the 7^th century AD. An ancient inscription can be seen on a piece of marble incorporated in the wall of the modern Church of Panayia Kouseliou (Presentation of the Virgin Mary), and at the same site there are remains of early Christian basilicas.

RELIGIONAL MONUMENTS

Monastery of Panayia tou Harou (in the north-eastern section of the island Byzantine period, the initial part was built in the 11^th-12^th Century): The most important monument on the island, the monastery was built by monks from Patmos in the Byzantine style, with a three-aisled church with a low blind dome and irregular arches. It took its name from the representation of the Virgin holding her son not as an infant, but as a crucified adult. The icon is now housed in the Church of Aghios Ioannis Theologos. According to tradition, every year the lilies framing the icon flower again on the day commemorating the death of the Virgin, even though they appear to have withered and died by the time of the Feast of the Annunciation.

There are other monastic retreats on Leipsoi, such as the Monasteries of Pano Koimisis and Ioannis Theologos at Moschato, while picturesque little churches are to be found scattered all over the island.

MUSEUMS, EXHIBITIONS, LIBRARIES

Lipsi - Religious and folklore museum A remarkable archaeological collection that is at the same time a religious and folklore museum of the island, while the library "Odisseas Elytis" that was built with the help of a Unesco initiative, offers valuable services.

ARCHITECTURE

The one village of Leipsoi has been built at the biggest and safest bay of the island, where the harbor is. The region is scattered with hermitages and retreats.

The windmill of Aravi or Gavala preserved in good condition is quite interesting. It is at the top of a hill, it is circular and it was built with stones and lime mixture. The interior areas are plaster coated while the exteriors are not.

FOLKLORE CULTURE

A religious festival of Panayia (23/8) is celebrated with various events, where bread with mastic, aniseed and nutmeg is offered, baked in local traditional oven, as well as local meat. There is a carpet school at Leipsoi, while thrashing is still done in the traditional way.

TRADITIONAL PRODUCTS

Olives and vines are mainly cultivated at Leipsoi. The wines produced are considered as excellent and during the Italian rule they were used for the Holy Communion at the Vatican.

Visitors will also find excellent dairy products, particularly traditional cream cheese made of goat milk and seawater that boils in a special caldron and then it is placed in small baskets till it "matures".

EVENTS

Lipsi - Festival The celebration of the three-day Wine Festival (10/8) was combined by planting 8.000 vines when the island joined the Winemaking Cities Association of the European Union.