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Petra Πέτρα |
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Petra is located at the north coast of Lesvos, and especially the sunsets you'll never forget. Here at the picture your see the contours of the island Agios Giorgos, this is the island you look out from the centre Santa Eleni. |
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Santa Eleni is situated on a hill, 2 miles from Petra, overlooking the Eagean sea. You can make walks though the beautiful surroundings. Some hundred meters up the hill behind the house stands an impressive old oak, with a prayer place beneath it that is devoted to saint Helen. Inhabitants of Petra still burn candles there in an alcove that has some icons there too. | ||
| On a 27 meter high monolith towers the church of Panagia Glykofiloussa
(Lady of the tender kiss) above the village of Petra. The village is
built around that rock. By the way, Petra means rock in Greek language. August 15 is the nameday of Holy Mary, that is the lady of the tender kiss, and this day is celebrated in Petra with all kinds of festivities. |
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The story about the church on the rock is about a captain that once anchored in Petra because he had to shelter for a storm. he couldn't find his icon of the Virgin Mary when he wanted to pray. A strange light caught his attention on top of the rock, and there was his icon. The night after that the same thing happened. He then decided to build a chapel at that spot because he believed it was the icon's wish to be there. The first church was built in 1609, the one now on top is from 1747. Underneath the rock you'll find the small church of Agios Nikolaos with 17th century frescos. | ||
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In Petra you can stroll through the streets, find taverns, souvenirshops and small supermarkets. At the waterfront is a mainsquare with terraces. Further in town is the restaurant To Paradosiakó (The traditional) where they serve traditional Greek food. |
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Near the main square is the mansion of Valeretzidaina. It's interior is a museum, it dates from around 1800 and you can have a look inside. |
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| At the beach of Petra it is heaven for sun adorers. After a hot day
through the inland it's very refreshing to take a swim in the clearblue
water. At the picture taken from the island of agios Giorgos you can find Santa Eleni lying in the hills. |
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If you look closely at the wall behind Santa Eleni, you
can discover that not all stones are dead.... there is one that is a
little owl that lives in one of the smallest holes of the wall. |
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