Pythagorio Archaeological Museum

(Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Πυθαγορείου)

In the centre of Pythagorio, near a small archaeological site.

Opening times

Same opening times as the Archaeological Museum in Vathy.

Admission €4, reduced €2

Tel: +30 22730 61400

Website: odysseus.culture.gr/h/1/eh151.jsp?obj_id=3495
(The information on this official Greek Ministry of Culture website is out of date.)

This used to be one of the tiniest archaeological museums in the world, with the small collection displayed in one room on the ground floor of the old town hall, and other large stone inscriptions standing outside on the street.

A new purpose-built two-storey museum was opened in 2010, although very little information about it has been published so far.

Castle of Logothetis, Pythagorio

Also known as the Tower (Pyrgos) of Logothetis (Μουσείο Πύργου Λυκούργου Λογοθέτη, Museum of the Tower of Lycurgus Logothetis)

On the west side of Pythagorio harbour.

Pythagorio, 83103 Samos.

Tel: +30 22730 62408

Website: odysseus.culture.gr/h/1/eh155.jsp?obj_id=18681

Opening times

Summer (April - October)
Tuesday-Sunday 8.30 am - 3.30 pm
Monday closed

Admission free

See Samos gallery pages 12 - 14 for further details.

The Byzantine castle was built in the 10th century AD on the foundations of the ancient citadel. Repairs and additions were carried out by the Genoese in the 14th century, when the square towers were built. During the 16th century the fortifications were modernized and cannon emplacements added. The castle was later abandoned when the island was depopulated due to pirate raids.

It was partially rebuilt in 1824 by Lycurgus Logothetis (Λυκούργος Λογοθέτης, 1772-1850), the local leader during the Greek War of Independence (1821-1829). Logothetis used one of the towers as his headquarters and residence.

For many years the Tower of Logothetis was used to store finds from local archaelogical excavations, before the new Pythagorio Archaeological Museum was built. Recently it has been restored and is now open as a museum, with information and images about the history of Samos, and some of the archaeological finds from excavations at the castle.

In the grounds of the castle is the Church of the Transfiguration (ο Ιερός Ναός της Μεταμορφώσεως του Σωτήρος, the Holy Church of the Metamorphosis of the Saviour), built 1831-1833 as an initiative of Logothetis to commemorate the Greek victory at the naval Battle of Samos against the Turkish fleet, which took place in the Mykale Strait in August 1824.

Due to the war and economic difficulties, the building of the church did not begin until 27 February 1831. Logothetis planned the building himself and made a wax model of the design. The construction was supervised by Georgios Petros from the Cretan village of Marathos, and completed on 15 June 1833. Just before his death in Athens in 1850, Logothetis financed the renovation of the church.

Roman Baths (Thermai), Pythagorio

(Αρχαιολογικό χώρο Θέρμες, Archaeological Site of the Baths,
or simply οι Θέρμες, the Baths)

1 km west of Pythagorio. Just south of the road to the airport.

Opening times
Tuesday - Sunday 9.30 am (Wednesday 10.30 am) - 2.30 pm

Entrance free

The west part of a Hellenistic gymnasium was converted into a public baths in the 2nd century AD (Roman period). Among the lower parts of walls are remains of marble floors and a mosaic, as well as the ruins of a 5th century Christian basilica. Also visible are the stone supports for the underfloor heating (hypocaust). The gymnasium-bath complex included a palaestra for wrestling.

Near the baths is the site of a Geometric period cemetery.

Heraion Archaeological Site, Pythagorio

(Το Ηραίο Σάμου)

6 km west of Pythagorio, on the southeast of the island.
Near the modern seaside village of Ireo (Ηραίο).

Opening times

Same opening times as the Archaeological Museum in Vathy.

Admission €4, reduced €2
The ticket is also valid for the Tunnel of Eupalinos.

Tel: +30 22730 62811

Website: odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/eh351.jsp?obj_id=2366

The site of the Temple and Sanctuary of the goddess Hera, near the mouth of the Imbrasos river (also known as Parthenios), where, according to myth, she was born and married the supreme Olympian god Zeus.

The enormous Ionic temple, with 115 columns, was built around 500 BC by the tyrant Polykrates. Today only a part of one reconstructed column stands on the site, which is why locals nicknamed the site "Kolonna".

Some of the archaeological finds from the sanctuary are in the Archaeological Museums in Vathy and Pythagorio, while many are in various museums around the world.

The Tunnel of Eupalinos, Pythagorio

(Το Ευπαλίνειο Ορυγμα, Efpalinio Orygma), also known as the Evpalinos Tunnel and the Aqueduct of Eupalinos

Closed since October 2013 due to reconstruction works.

1 km north of Pythagorio, at the foot of Spiliani Mountain.

Opening times

April-October, Tuesday-Sunday 8 am - 2 pm.

Admission €4, reduced €2
The ticket is also valid for the Heraion.

The vast 1,036 metre long tunnel (only the first 150 metres is open to the public) is an impressive feat of ancient engineering, designed by Eupalinos, son of Naustrophos of Megara, Attica (Ευπαλίνος ο Μεγαρεύς). In places the tunnel is 1.8 metres high and 1.8 metres wide, and the water channel which runs below it is up to 8 metres deep.

It was built through the limestone of a 237 metre high foothill of Kastro Hill (ancient Mount Ambelos) by the tyrant Polykrates around 550 BC as part of a water collection and transportation system from the hills to his capital Samos (now known as Pythagorio).

To the north of the tunnel are also remains of a later Roman aqueduct, built to improve the water flow to the city.

Near the upper entrance to the tunnel are the remains of an ancient theatre, and the Panagia Spiliani Monastery.

Ancient Theatre, Pythagorio

(Αρχαίο θέατρο Πυθαγορείου)

Between the upper entrance to the Tunnel of Eupalinos and the Panagia Spiliani Monastery, 1.5 km north of Pythagorio.

Opening times

The theatre is normally open to the public during the day.

Admission free.

Panagia Spiliani Monastery, Pythagorio

(Μονή Παναγίας Σπηλιανής, Monastery of the Virgin of the Cave)

On a hill 125 metres above sea level, 1.5 km northwest of Pythagorio.

Tel: +30 22730-61361

Opening times

All year, daily 9am - 2.30 pm, 5 pm - 8 pm.

Admission free.

See Samos gallery pages 22 - 26 for further details.

Once you have climbed the hill to the monastery, you then descend 95 steps to the cave dedicated to the Virgin Mary (Panagia). A spring and the remains of an ancient temple discovered here indicate that this was a sacred place in antiquity. A church was built here in Byzantine times, and later a monastery. The cave contains an icon of the Virgin believed to have miraculous properties.

Folklore Museum, Pythagorio

Folklore Museum of the Nikolaos Dimitriou Foundation of Samos
(Λαογραφικό Μουσείο του Πνευματικού Ιδρύματος Σάμου Νικολάου Δημητρίου)

Near the Hotel Doryssa Bay, Pythagorio.

Pythagoreio, 83100 Samos.

Tel: +30 22730 88383 and +30 22730 62286

Website: odysseus.culture.gr/h/1/eh151.jsp?obj_id=3358

Opening times

Summer (1 April - 31 October), 10 am - 1.30 pm

Winter (1 November - 31 March), by appointment

Admission free.

Paleontological Museum, Mytilinii

Also known as the Natural History Museum of the Aegean
(Μουσείο Φυσικής Ιστορίας Αιγαίου).

Its full official name is Museum of the Aegean - Palaeontological Museum of Samos - Konstantinos and Maria Zimali Foundation.

In Mytilinii village, 5 km northwest of Pythagorio, 12 km southwest of Vathy (Samos town).

Mytilinii, 83101 Samos.

Tel/Fax: +30 22730 52055

Website: www.nhma.gr

Opening times

Summer (1 May - 31 October), Tuesday – Saturday 9 am - 2 pm,
Sunday 10 am - 2 pm.
Monday closed.

Winter (1 November - 30 April),
by appointment only (mainly for groups).

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