10 Specialty Museums in Northeast Aegean Islands That You Shouldn't Miss

In 1894, Isidoros Arvanitis, the persistent perfectionist from Plomari who searches tirelessly to find the ideal ingredients in order to create the perfect recipe for Ouzo, begins his big quest. After many journeys, he will finally find what he was searching for. The great recipe that offers him the flavour of exactly what he was dreaming of. The traditional way of distillation in small, handmade, copper stills, combined with the excellent ingredients offered by the land of Lesvos and the unique recipe created by Isidoros Arvanitis in 1894, which is faithfully employed to this day, give Ouzo of Plomari its distinct aroma and taste that make it stand out. Celebrating more than 120 years of history and tradition, Ouzo of Plomari Isidoros Arvanitis opens its gates and invites you to experience the “World of Ouzo”. An extraordinary guided tour, for all your senses, that takes place in the Plomari Ouzo Distillery in picturesque Plomari, Lesvos.

The unique Tannery Museum, housed in the newly-renovated Talampekos-Sinadinos leather factory, opened its doors to the public in 2009. The building dates back to the start of the 20th century. Today, this building is owned by the Aegean University but granted to the local municipality to accommodate the museum.The hide splitting machine is a piece of equipment found on site but the other exhibits have been donated.Between 1880-1930, leather production & trading was a growing industry. In Karlovasi, 50 local businesses flourished. Today, only remnants of these structures exist along the coastal road in and around the Riva area.

The Olive Press Museum of Archipelagos Society was one of the first steam-powered factories on Lesvos Island and in the Aegean which operated continuously until the early 1970s, when it closed down and surrendered to the decay of time. In 1999, this industrial monument of unique architectural value came into the possession of the Archipelagos Society (a non -profit organization dedicated to the protection and cultural development of the Aegean) which undertook the work of restoration that lasted from 2006 to 2009. At the same time the historical equipment of the factory was also restored and put into operation, granting the visitor an accurate picture of traditional olive-oil production. If someone is visiting Lesvos Island will soon understand that olives trees, olive oil and olive industry is the core of development of the island and that the tradition goes back centuries. No visitor of the island should miss it!!!

The Museum of Industrial Olive-Oil Production of Lesvos presents the industrial phase of olive-oil production in Greece. It focuses on the changes brought about by the introduction of mechanical motion on the process of olive-oil production and approaches the contribution of the region's inhabitants to the production process with sensitivity. Its objective is to showcase our industrial heritage in the sector of olive-oil production and incorporate it into the broader architectural, social and cultural context of the period. The Museum is housed in the old communal olive press of Aghia Paraskevi on the island of Lesvos. The buildings and the mechanical equipment have been restored in an exemplary fashion. Thus, you can observe how the equipment functions and how the factory evolved from steam power to diesel engine operation. At the same time, you will acquaint yourselves with daily life at the «People's Machine».

Ancient Temple dedicated to Zeus. Recently opened new museum section financed bythe Greek Government & EEC grant. Open daily (except Monday). Some access for disabled visitors. Sign posted and only 2 km from the main Mytilene to Kalloni road.