Samos is located in the south-east part of the Aegean Sea, opposite the coast of Asia Minor. Legend says that Samos was named after Sao, the son of Rinis and Mercury. Throughout the centuries, Samos has been known by several different names, including Parthenorousa, Kyparisia, Stefani and Driousa.

Samos today is a nice green island which attracts tourists from all over the world, not only for the nice and endless beaches but also because of the history which left its mark everywhere.

Samos during Hellenic Antiquity

During the 7th century, Samos established new colonies in Samothrace. Soon, the Samians came into contact with the Spartans. During the 2nd Messinian War, Samos declared war against Aigina.

In 640 BC a Samian ship arrived at Tartisso and during the 6th century the Samians established three new colonies on the Thracian coast, Perinthos.

Around 570 BC the first tyrant of Samos, Sylosontas, ordered two Samian architects, Roiko and Theodoro to construct a temple for Hera (mother of Gods and wife of the King of Gods, Zeus). During the years of his tyranny, Samos enjoyed the most prosperous years of its history. During this period however, many were sent into exile or self-imposed exile. As the years passed, the Samians established a new colony in southern Italy. Among these people, was the philosopher Pythagoras, one of the most important and famous people in antiquity.

Pythagoras was born in Samos around 570 BC. He studied near Thali in Militos. He stayed in Egypt for 22 years and learned the secrets of Isis and Osiris. Having spent a long time away, he returned to Samos at the age of 60. His theory, which is still taught in every school around the world, is the basis of Geometry (Pythagorus's Theorem).

Relations between Samos and Athens

In 465, a war broke out between Samos and Militos over the territory of Prioni. Samos didn't accept the arbitration of Athens (leader of the alliance) and the leader of Athens, Pericles, ordered the attack on Samos. 65 warships arrived at Samos, ready for the conflict. The first attack proved to be a great victory for the Samians. Later on, Pericles returned, bringing 90 more warships, and the Samians surrendered under hard conditions for them.

The immediate result, after the Samians surrendered, was the installation of a democratic government in Samos. During the Peloponnesian Wars (430-404), Samos became the centre of the sea battle activities. Throughout this war, Samos stood by the side of Athens.

Modern History

A few years before the commencement of the Hellenic Revolution of 1821, Samos had already been organised and was ready to be involved in the National War for freedom, against the Ottoman occupation. Under the leadership of Lahanas, Georgiadis, Logothetis and bishop Cyrillos, the Samians were ready for the Revolution. During the War, the Samians achieved many victories against the Ottoman fleet.

In 1830 -- after the end of the Revolution -- England, France and Russia (the three Allied Powers), decided that Samos would not belong to the newly founded Hellenic State. The Samians didn't agreed with such a decision and began a new struggle. In December 1832, Turkey with the agreement of the Allied Powers, decided to give some new privileges to the Samians. Several more uprisings were to follow -- in 1849, 1908 and 1912 -- before Samos became part of Greece in the union of 2nd March 1913, when the Hellenic army arrived on the island.

Geography.

Samos is located close to the coast of Asia Minor. The coast of Mycali can be seen in the east in the distance. Samos is one of the largest and the most popular islands in Hellas. Its area is 476 square km and the population is around 50,000 (1991). Between 1961-1971, Samos showed a remarkable diminuation in the population (20%).

The terrain of Samos is mainly mountainous, but there are also some big valleys. The most famous valleys are Mesocambos, Marathocambos and Kokkari.

Economy of Samos

The economy of the island, is based mainly on agriculture. The island produces a sweet wine that is very popular in the national markets of the European Union. Other products that Samos produces include tobacco -- very good quality -- and the famous oil products. Finally, Samian wood gives work to many lumbermen.

The island has two principal ports, Carlovassi and Samos (Vathy), which serve the tourist industry (during summer) and the needs of commerce for the whole island (throughout the year).

Every year, thousands of tourists visit Samos, not only for the endless beaches and the clear water bays but also because they have the opportunity to visit the monuments which exist all over the island and prove its glamour through the centuries.

SamosTown (Vathy) is the first place a tourist should visit. It is the capital of the island. In the past, the village of Chora used to be the capital. In Vathy, there is the Byzantine Museum, which houses a lot of rare and historically valuable exhibits, such as the famous "Koyros". Another remarkable place in Vathy is Pythagoras Square with the famous marble Lion, which was constructed in 1930.

Pythagorio is another attractive place. In this town, the traveller can see the main characteristics of a traditional Samian town. The visitor can walk along the narrow streets and admire the "typical" architecture of the houses.

Samos offers a nice opportunity for relaxing, and at the same time it also offers a superb night life. There are hundrends of bars and clubs all over the island.

One of the most beautiful and traditional villages is Kokkari. This village, apart from being the best spot for windsurfers, also has nice hotels, bars and tavernas with traditional food and fresh fish. A little further on from Kokkari, the visitor can find two beaches "Tsamadou" and "Lemonakia". These beaches are famous for the picturisque seascape and the strong blue color of the sea. Near Pythagorio (about 3km), there is one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, the Eupalinion Tunnel. In 460 BC, an architect from Megara "Eupalinus" planned and constucted a big, long tunnel, proposing to bring water through a sub-tunnel (length 1350m.) from the source to the town of Pythagorio. The extraordinary fact about this construction, is that the Tunnel passes from the top of the hill (from the spot of the source), going under the earth as deep as 65m and it ends at the water tank inside the town of the Pythagorio. Even today, the water still flows the same way.

Karlovassi is the most important place for the economy of the island. The central market is here. New Karlovassiis home to all the public services, including schools as well as the the biggest hotels on Samos. The tourists can admire the traditional style of the town and the night life in cosy bars and pubs.

One of the most brilliant temples of ancient Hellas, the Temple of Hera, was built on Samos. The Temple was dedicated to the Godess Hera, because it was believed that she (mother of gods) was born there. The Temple was constructed several times but it took its final shape thanks to the two Samian architects Ricos and Theodoro. This Temple is a mixture of Doric and Ionic styles. Unfortunately, today, only one column remains. Around the column there are a lot of monuments that remind us of the glorious periods of Hellenic antiquity

As has already been mentioned, Samos is one of the most important Hellenic islands. The monuments and the museums which bear witness to the history of the island and Hellas, together with the clean beaches, the traditional villages, the monasteries and the churches, not to mention the night life, comprise an island that one cannot afford not to visit.

Samos airport: tel 61219
Archeological Museum:tel 27469
Byzantine Museum: tel 27312
Police (Karlovassi): tel 32444
Police (Pythagorio): tel 61333