RODOTOICHOS (Pomegranate Wall)

Crossing the main road of Kalloni – Eresos via Parakoila we meet on our left the junction for the settlement of Apotheka.

The downhill road that we follow will enchant us, as the panoramic view that spreads out in front of us gives us the feeling that we are traveling from above, facing the islets of Garbias and Agios Georgios with the homonymous church at the mouth of the Kalloni bay.

Apothika ( Αποθήκες Λέσβου – Βικιπαίδεια )  is the port of Agra and is one of the most peaceful and windless ports of our island.

Its name comes from the warehouses that existed in the area. Some of the oldest traces of habitation on the island have been identified here. It used to be a transit station with a customs office and a station master to control commercial traffic. The customs building today functions as a cultural space.

The coffeeshops of the time that also functioned as inns served workers and sailors. One of them has been renovated and is the well-known “tavern of the fat man”.

In one of the old cafes that is now a habitable house you can see a mural by the well-known painter Theofilos ( Θεόφιλος Κεφαλάς – Χατζημιχαήλ – Βικιπαίδεια ).

Near the settlement and next to the sea is the church of Agios Panteleimonos, which is often open during the summer months and on July 27th there is a big festivity.

Arriving at Apothika, we come upon a dirt road on our left, which leads us to a historical monument of Lesvos. He is the “Kalochtistos”(well-built), named because of his sturdy construction, or otherwise “Rodotoichos”(Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού και Αθλητισμού | Καλόχτιστος Αποθήκας στην Αποθήκα (culture.gr) name given by the locals because its construction resembles the structure of pomegranate seeds. It is about 50 meters long and its height reaches up to 6 meters. Walking in the wider area we will come across the remains of a Hellenistic tower and stone wells.

The place seems strewn with stones that give it a wild beauty and charm. The warmth of the stone and the coolness of the sea will leave you with a sweet taste and desire to return and seek the undiscovered natural treasures of the area.