he capital and harbour of Samos lies behind a picturesque and lush green bay. It is called Vathy named after the old settlement which was built high above the sea. At that time the harbour contained only a few warehouses but slowly it developed into a lovely town and became one with the old settlement. Vathy is one of the most beautiful places on the island and it has been described as a ''jewel'' between two areas of surpassing beauty, Malagari to the West and Kalami to the East. Vathy apart from the natural beauty has also a great number of historical monuments to show. Near the port, on the coast roast, is bustling Pythagoras Square, with its famous lion monument. In a short distance are the old Cathedral, which today houses, the City Hall and the public library, the Sq. of St. Spyridon with the named historical church and next to the City Hall is the Archaeological Museum.

n the North of the town of Samos you will meet the fine Gagoo beach which extends though Kalami and the suburb of Platanos and ends up at the Agia Paraskevi bay where there is a pretty chapel. The bay of Ag. Paraskevi is regarded as one of the most beautiful places of the island giving the chance to the visitor to enjoy the simple and pure beauty of the landscape. Ag. Paraskevi is also famous for its multicoloured hordes of butterflies.

ne of the things you must not miss in Samos is to visit the famous Heraion, the town that ancient Ionians regarded as the birthplace of goddess Hera. In that area they built for her sake the mythical Temple of Hera, which some parts of it still remain. The temple was destroyed by the forces of the Persian King Cyrus and it was rebuilt under the rule of Polycrates (532 - 522 BC) by the Samiot architect Rhoikos. When the Persians once more destroyed it, Polycrates assigned the task of constructing a new temple to Theodoros son of Rhoikos. Ancient historian Herodutus(4th century B.C.) mentions that this temple was the largest and most lavish he ever saw. In the same area we find also the village Myli (Watermils). The village owes it's name to the multitude of watermills it once possessed, and the streams witch powered them are still to be seen and enjoyed. The river Imbrasusus that runs next to the village was regarded from Greek mythology as the place where Hera met Zeus while washing her hair.

he archaeological museum of Samos at Vathy is regarded as one of the most interesting museums in Greece. There are exhibits from the Archaic Period, a large number of sculptures from 5th, 6th and 7th centuries BC, kores and kouroi (more than life - size), Sarcophagoi, Ionian columns and much more. In the collection are included pieces from the Hellenistic period such as statues (more than life - size again), grave relief's and votive offerings. In the museum there are also in exhibit interesting sculptures from the Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods, Geometric, Archaic and Classical pottery, bronze, ivory and wood statuettes which were found from the German excavations at the Heraion.

Photos and text taken from "Samos, Ikaria and Fournoi" (Toubis Editions)

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