The Municipality of Agia Paraskevi is situated in the centre of the island of Lesbos, among the hills and close to the plain of Kalloni. The agriculture and the cattle raising are the main income sources of the Municipality. In the surroundings of the Municipality of Agia Paraskevi we will find the most important archaeological treasures in the area. The local customs and tradition of the Municipality are of a particular interest as they combine a remarkable traditional architecture - urban and rural - with traditional elements that characterize the whole village of Agia Paraskevi. Few modern changes, that could have influenced the traditional character of the village, have taken until now place. The Municipality of Agia Paraskevi is famous for the "Religious Festival of Tavros". Until now Agia Paraskevi has managed to remain intact to the effects of the massive tourism' s development. The efforts of the Municipality aim at the development of a qualitative tourism that will favour the financial development of the area without affecting its cultural particularity and natural environment. We should also mention that the picturesque village of Napi belongs to the Municipality of Agia Paraskevi.

    A part of the Municipality of Agia Paraskevi is lying by the Gulf of Kalloni, which is one of the most important fishing centres of Greece. In the Gulf of Kalloni, at a depth of 10 to 20 metres we can observe the characteristic societies of VTC (Vases Terrigenew Cotieres). From a geological point of view the area consists of volcanic materials and alluvial deposits

    On the northeast side of the gulf, important marshlands are formed, a part of which belongs to the Municipality of Agia Paraskevi. Uncommon, rare and threatened species of birds, for both Greece' s and Europe' s fauna, either go through this marshland or take a refuge in this area. Bird watchers are particularly attracted by the marshland' s population during the right period. The marshlands of the Saltpans and of the canal that surrounds the Saltpans, the marshlands that belong to the area of Messa as well as those of the estuary of the river Vouvari, belong to the Municipality of Agia Paraskevi and they give hospitality to an amazing and numerous variety of rare species of birds, among which the most impressive are the Flamingos. 

    This area is included to the Important Bird Areas, according to the Directive 79/409/EEU. Other important species classified as D:  Mammals: The Erinaceous concolor is protected by the Presidential Decree 67/81. Plants: The species Iris ochroleuca and the species Silene squamigera are protected by the Presidential Decree 67/81, while the species Cotula coronopifolia is a very rare one in Greece (Hansen and Nielsen 1993). All the species of Orchid found until now are protected by the Agreement CITES. Invertebrates: The species Heodes alciphron is threatened with extinction. Lepidopteron: The species Cordulegaster charpentieri, Epallage fatima and Platycnemis pennipes need protection according to Van Tol and Verdong (1998). Finally the species Hydraena filum is an endemic and threatened with extinction invertebrate that needs protection (Jach, 1991).

    On the east side of the village Agia Paraskevi begins the big pine tree forest, through which goes the river "Mylopotamos". Along the river there are old watermills. The olive trees, the pine trees and the rich vegetation on both sides of the river compose a wonderful scenery, ideal for walking. If the walker chooses this path he can combine his walk with the visit to the Paleo- Christian Church of Chalinadou. If on the other hand he takes the path that goes along the river "Vouvari" - ideal place for amusement - he can combine his walk with a visit to the archaeological site of the Ancient Pyrra and with a visit to the picturesque small fish ports of Misintziki and Achladeri, where he has the possibility to taste fresh fish and a variety of seafood at the fish tavern situated by the sea.

Finally, if he takes the path that goes from the east side of the Gulf of Kalloni he will have the chance to visit the Archaeological site and the marshland of Messa.

  The town of Agia Paraskevi has maintained until today its traditional architectural rhythm.

A big number of neo-classical mansions having the facade decorated and belonging to noble/urban families as well as a big number of "rural" houses with the characteristic kiln, the garden and the storeroom, are really interesting as far as their architecture is concerned.

 The buildings together with the paved and picturesque streets compose a traditional town.

    The whole administrative area of Agia Paraskevi has been officially declared protected area of archaeological interest. The most important archaeological sites of Lesbos are situated around the village of Agia Paraskevi. The Ancient Temple of "Messa", the ancient Temple of Clopedi (probably dedicated to the god Apollo, the Napeos), the Paleo-Christian Basilica of Chalinadou, the ruins of the Ancient Pyrra and the Bridge of Cremasti attract the interest of the island' s visitors

CHURCH OF KLOPEDIS

    The Temple of Clopedi was first built during the 8th century a. C. It took its final shape during the 6th century, when a gallery that consisted of 46 columns surrounded it. The columns' capitals are of the peculiar Aeolian rhythm.

The Aeolian columns' capitals that we find to the "Trouloti" Church of Taxiarhes - Napi, come from the Temple of Clopedi. Their particular characteristics are the two big spirals that revolve around both the right and left side of a big vegetable ornament (blossom). 

 The integral medieval arch "Bridge of Cremasti" is well maintained. It is the bridge of Tsiknia, a violent river of the area. It was built by the Gatelouzi (1355-1432) for military reasons as well as for commercial needs. The material for its construction comes from the Ancient Temple of Clopedi and the Church of St Theraponta that is situated close to the Ancient Temple

TEMPLE OF MESSA

  We will find the Temple of Messa in small the plain, which is open to the Gulf of Kalloni and to the Pyrreon River Euripus. In the same area, it is believed that existed the Ancient Temple dedicated to the worship of the Aeolian Trinity (Zeus, Juno, Dionysus). It was founded by the Aeolians, when they were first established on the island of Lesbos.

It was their federal Temple that dates back to the 3rd century a. C. When the Christianism was established, a Basilica was founded at the east part of the Ancient Temple.

During the Byzantine Era the chapel dedicated to Taxiarhes succeeded the Basilica. The graves that we can discern over there, belong to the inhabitants of a small medieval village situated about 300 metres to the west of the Ancient Temple. In a small distance from the Temple of Messa there are the ruins of the ancient town of Pyrra.

CHURCH OF CHALINADOS

The Paleo-Christian Church of Chalinado was built around 550-600 p. C. It was partly destroyed by an earthquake. The Temple consists of three aisles and a temple vestibule.

 The main temple is rectangular and bears an arch to the east side.

 The aisles are separated between them with two rows of columns decorated with relief capitals. 

   In the village of Agia Paraskevi the community' s old olive press has been transformed into a cultural centre of various activities.

 At the Polykentro, there are two specially equipped halls, where an exhibition takes place.

In the first one, there is the exhibition entitled "The Museum of the Olive Press' s Old Engines" and in the second one, there is the exhibition entitled "The Folklore Museum". The first exhibition is about the engines used in an olive press.

They were made in 1910 and they belong to the Greek factories of "Isigone" in Smyrna.

 In this exhibition we will also find all the archives that regard the construction of the olive press and its mechanical equipment (correspondence of the village' s Council with the Isigone Factories, construction contracts etc.).

All this material is of a particular exploratory interest.

The second exhibition contains archives of a rich folklore and photographic material.

Finally, even the same building of Polykentro is of a particular interest as an old olive press as well as many of the old engines that still remain at their place. 

Polykentro is the modern ornament of the village. It is a wonderful group of buildings resulted from the restoration of the old olive press that belongs to the community at the beginning of the century.

So with the restoration of the olive press that began in 1986, we have the creation of this cultural centre that contains a conference hall, Folklore Museum, Museum of Agricultural and Industrial Tradition, open-air space for cultural happenings as well as a traditional guesthouse of twelve rooms for the hospitality of the guests.

   In the villages of Agia Paraskevi and Napi, the visitor has the possibility to buy pure local meat (veal, pork, lamb and kid), dairy products (fresh salt less butter used for cooking and yogurt), a big variety of cheese (white cheese, "graviera"- yellow salty cheese, cheese stored in olive oil, sweet and salty fresh cheese), poultry grazing in the fields, eggs, local vegetables and honey of an excellent quality. We should also mention the rich production in olive oil of a low acidity as well as the production in ouzo by a local distillery.

 "The Religious Festival of Tavros" : This religious festival takes place on the 30th of June.

   This festival is the most important popular activity of the village of Agia Paraskevi and it combines a variety of happenings that regard the ritual of the bull' s sacrifice. An agricultural group called "Το Ισνάφι των Ζευγάδων" (Agricultural Association "The Progress") revived this ancient custom in 1774. It was established as a reverence to St Haralambos, the protector of this agricultural group (Το Ισνάφι) that organises this festival.

 The incomes of this celebration are used for the inhabitants' common profit. The activities that take place during the celebration of this festival are the following: 

 The inhabitants concentrate the necessary materials (wheat etc.) for the preparation of the traditional meal ("kiskek"). The carrying of the decorated bull around the village with the participation of the local orchestra. The pilgrims set out for the mountain, riding decorated horses and being accompanied by the local traditional orchestra. Sacrifice of the bull at the chapel of St Haralambos situated at the evergreen mountain of Tavros.

Throughout the night preparation of the traditional meal accompanied by popular dances Religious morning mess. The inhabitants return to the village, where a parade of horses and horse races take place. Amusement at the central square of the village with the visitors' participation. The last night of the festival, amusement of the local inhabitants until the next morning.

These festivals that take place at the village of Agia Paraskevi, last for several day, they start from Friday and last until Monday, usually in the middle of June. The dances and the songs as well as the popular orchestras that play traditional lesbian music from the village of Agia Paraskevi and the Minor Asia, are of a great importance at those festivals. The Religious Festival of Tavros takes place at the end of the spring and coincides with the preparation of the harvest. This festival is one of the most important proofs of the survival of such idololatric customs combined with the Christian popular traditions.

Useful phones: (22530)

Tonw-Hall: 31221, 31637, 31039, (FAX: 02530 - 31221)     

Police Station: 31222

Rural Office: 31250

Pharmacy: 31492

Guesthouses: 31264, 31400, 31221

Museums: : 31264, 31400, 31221

Cultural Centre for the young people - Polykentro: 31264, 31400, 31221

Olive oil and Dairy products Association of Agia Paraskev: 31295

Olive oil and Dairy products Association of Nap: 31460