Agiassos in Lesvos

Agiassos (or Agiasos) is nestled in a magnificent valley under the mountain of Olympos, about 24 kilometres north of Plomari. Only the trip up to the village is worth the whole journey. And you will not be disappointed by the village either. Do not miss the village of Megalochori on the way up to Agiassos. It is an old village that has stood still in time and is therefore very interesting to stroll around.

Agiassos is probably Lesvos' most traditional and picturesque village after Molyvos. It is also one of the island's most touristy villages. But do not be afraid, tourism is of a different kind to what most are used to. Most people who go to Agiassos are pilgrims that visit the church of Panagia ti Vrefokratousa. Also, almost all tourists are from Greece, so Agiassos is a very Greek village. The church has several names besides Panagia ti Vrefokratousa: Church of Virgin Mary, Agia Sion and Panagia church of Agiasos.

One of the streets leading out of the village of Agiassos.

Do not miss the genuine village of Megalochori on the way up to Agiassos.

The church is celebrated, the fact is that it is Greece's second most important church after the Panagia Evangelistria at Tinos. Pilgrims travel here throughout the year, and they come from all over Greece. The most important festival take place in August 15th. Of course there is also a miracle-performing icon in this church, and it is the icon that attracts people to come here.

Panagia ti Vrefokratousa in Agiassos.

The very grand and beautiful church.

The bell tower outside the church.

But if one are not interested in churches and holy icons, you might wonder. Is it still worth going to Agiassos? Absolutely. It is a very attractive village with beautiful colourful houses and narrow alleys lined by ranks of shops.

Souvenir shop street in Agiassos.

There are many souvenir shops as in all tourist resorts, but also a lot of shops aimed at pilgrims and a large number of handicraft shops. Agiassos has a long tradition of handicraft, especially in ceramics and wood carving.

Agiassos has a long tradition of handicraft, especially in ceramics and wood carving.

And you will experience that when you walk along the street leading to the church, there is an endless rank of kitsch shops on both sides. I think I've never seen so much knick knack in one place. After a while it is so much for the brain that all the knick knacks is transformed into an attraction.

One of several ceramic shops in Agiassos.

Above the church, to the right into an alley, is an area where many of the shops are selling locally produced products, mainly meat and dairy products.

The market in Agiassos.

Among many exciting things, a cheese (touloumotyri) is sold here that I have never seen before. It is a kind of feta cheese that is stored inside a goat skin. It looks a little bit odd. Similar to small pigs. Please taste it, it's very good.

The upper parts of Agiassos.

Ouzo and cheese shop in Agiassos.

The cheese - called Touloumotyri - is made from goat's and sheep's milk. You take a goat or sheep skin and turn it inside out and fill it with feta cheese, then sew the skin together, but leave a small opening where you fill with fresh milk. After six to seven months, the cheese is ready to eat. Tastes amazingly good!

The hilarious - and very good cheeses - that look like little pigs.

WHAT YOU MUST NOT MISS WHEN YOU VISIT AGIASSOS

Don't miss Plomari, which you can read about here »

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