Discover the unique link between Saint Valentine and Mytilene, where his relics are kept in the Catholic church. Explore who the Orthodox Church honors as patrons of love instead of Valentine’s Day
Tag: Lesbos
Turkey has ended a period of calm in the Aegean with the first recorded airspace violations since 2023, including 8 incursions into Greek national airspace, 4 FIR infringements, and a mock dogfight involving armed F-16s between Limnos and Lesbos.
Four migrants drowned when their boat capsized off Lesbos’ Cape Agrilia amid 6 Beaufort winds; seven survivors were pulled from the water as a Super Puma helicopter and coast guard vessels continue searching the Aegean for others.
Four migrants died in a shipwreck off Lesbos, Greece, with 34 others rescued, as the coastguard conducted a search-and-rescue operation. The incident, involving a boat with 38 people, underscores ongoing Mediterranean migration challenges, with Greece tightening rules amid rising arrivals.
A Frontex patrol vessel ran aground and sank off the coast of Anaxos, Lesbos, in…
A joyous festival in Agia Paraskevi, Lesbos, turned violent when a 35-year-old man was stabbed 18 times during the Agios Charalambos celebration. The victim, now stable in Mytilene’s hospital, was attacked in the early hours of Saturday. The suspect, also 35, faces attempted homicide charges. “We were stunned,” an eyewitness told ERT, describing the unprecedented bloodshed that has left the community shaken.
In a historic moment for Greece, the chant of “Christos Anesti” rang through St. Peter’s Basilica at Pope Francis’ funeral, echoing his dream of unity between Catholics and Orthodox Christians. Following Pope John Paul II, Francis was only the second pontiff to visit Athens, forging ties during Greece’s economic and migrant crises. From the Great Schism of 1054 to modern diplomacy, their visits marked a journey of reconciliation, with Francis’ 2016 and 2021 trips to Lesbos underscoring solidarity and peace.
Authorities on Lesvos have prompted urgent calls for infrastructure upgrades and state support ahead of the tourist season.
Frontex may discipline Greece for illegal migrant pushbacks, considering suspending operations or urging EU legal action, as Greece faces 13 human rights cases and scrutiny over migrant deaths off Lesbos.
Germany’s Federal Administrative Court rules that single, healthy male asylum seekers can be deported to Greece, citing manageable conditions, a move supporting Chancellor-elect Friedrich Merz’s pledge to reduce migrant arrivals amid political pressure.
A serious incident involving gunfire occurred early Saturday morning in Greek territorial waters in the northern Aegean, when a Turkish vessel opened fire during a Greek Coast Guard inspection, prompting an immediate response.
Six young children living in a migrant camp on the Greek island of Samos have been diagnosed with moderate to severe malnutrition, marking the first such cases since the facility opened in 2021, according to Doctors Without Borders. The medical charity says poor camp conditions, combined with limited pediatric care and the recent loss of asylum seeker stipends, have worsened the children’s health.
Tragedy struck off the Greek island of Lesbos as four migrants—a boy, a girl, and two women—were confirmed dead after their boat sank in the early hours of Thursday. Greece’s coastguard rescued 23 survivors, but the total number of passengers remains unknown, prompting an ongoing search and rescue operation. The incident highlights the continuing risks faced by migrants attempting dangerous sea crossings to Europe.
A desperate struggle unfolded off the northern coast of Lesbos as a boat carrying migrants and refugees capsized near Skala Sikamnias. With 23 people rescued so far, the Hellenic Coast Guard and Air Force have launched an urgent operation, combing sea and shore for those still missing in the treacherous waters of the Aegean.
A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck near Mitilini, Lesbos, Greece, on January 21st, 2025, at 10:38 pm local time. The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 3.80 km, with a second report from the German Research Centre for Geosciences listing the quake at magnitude 5.8. Seismologists are continuing to monitor and refine data on the event.
Individuals planning to visit Greece must obtain a Schengen visa, which permits travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days. Applicants must provide a completed visa application, passport, recent photograph, fingerprints, and proof of sufficient funds through bank statements, with a minimum daily requirement of €50 for their stay. Additionally, travelers need travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 coverage.
Restoration efforts are underway on Lesbos Island to preserve its historic monuments, with a focus on those from the Ottoman period. Mayor Taxiarchis Verros of Kalloni announced the initiative during an archaeology symposium in Ayvalık, Turkey. Highlighting the shared cultural history between Lesbos and its Turkish neighbors, Verros emphasized the importance of safeguarding these architectural landmarks, which include castles, mosques, and fountains. These efforts aim to protect and promote the island’s rich cultural legacy for future generations.
Recent developments have highlighted a surge in activity from Russia’s shadow fleet near the Greek coast. With approximately 1 million barrels of fuel being transferred monthly in the Aegean Sea, Greek naval exercises strive to limit these operations. The shadow fleet’s activities, often shrouded in secrecy, aid in evading sanctions, raising concerns over vessel safety and insurance.
Since launching on April 1, 2024, Greece’s visa-on-arrival program has attracted over 100,000 Turkish tourists, boosting regional tourism on islands like Rhodes, Lesbos, and Samos. The program, praised by Greek and Turkish officials, allows short stays without a full Schengen visa, fostering economic and diplomatic benefits and promoting stronger maritime connections between the two countries.
On the picturesque Greek island of Lesbos, 70-year-old master potter Dimitris Kouvdis keeps an ancient pottery tradition alive, using local clay and a traditional olive-pit-fueled kiln. His unique, lime-painted pottery, recently recognized by UNESCO, is a testament to a fading art form and a potter’s enduring passion.
On the Greek island of Lesbos, 70-year-old Nikos Kouvdis keeps an ancient pottery tradition alive, crafting pieces from local clay and firing them in a kiln fuelled by olive pits. Recognised by UNESCO as part of Greece’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, his work stands as a testament to timeless craftsmanship in a world increasingly dominated by modern machinery.
The express visa program for Turkish citizens visiting ten Eastern Aegean islands has issued over 104,000 visas, indicating a cooperative effort between Greece and Turkey. Lesbos leads as the top destination with 27,614 visas, while Kalymnos remains the least favored with only 102 visas granted. The initiative aims to boost tourism and strengthen bilateral relations.
An earthquake struck Mytilene a short while ago. The tremor had a magnitude of 3.3…
Greek authorities have successfully rescued nearly 150 migrants attempting to reach the country by sea over a 24-hour period. In one of the largest single boatloads of recent months, 115 people were crammed into a vessel that was found in distress off the island of Lesvos.
Firefighters continue to battle a wildfire raging between the villages of Mandamados and Kapi on the island of Lesvos, with the situation showing some improvement but remaining uncontained. Despite the arrival of reinforcements, the fire remains strong, prompting a major response from ground and air firefighting teams.
A BBC investigation has stirred controversy by alleging the Greek coastguard’s actions may be linked…
In a tradition deeply rooted in Greek culture, the Holy Light will be transported from…
Greece has decided to drop criminal charges against a group of international aid workers, including allegations ranging from espionage to aiding illegal entry into the country via Lesbos island. Among the 35 individuals accused in 2020, mostly German nationals, the case has been dismissed due to insufficient evidence, according to court documents seen on Tuesday.
Another five Greek islands have opened to tourism from Turkish citizens through the expedited visa…
In a heartfelt effort on the Greek island of Lesbos, volunteers have dedicated themselves to…
