[BACK TO LIPSI]

Lipsi

A small charming island with magnificent beaches such as Lientou, Kyr-Vasilena, Platys Gialos, picturesque Taverns serving fresh fish and local wine.

In Lipsi, one finds beautiful sandy beaches and translucent waters. The island is so small that you can go everywhere you want to on foot. The hamlet on the protected natural harbour is composed of spotless whitewashed houses, while its mini-piazza boasts Taverns, Ouzeri, cafes and other eateries.

In Lipsi, there are more than thirty churches and chapels. The most important are, the big church of the village, consecrated to St. John the Theologian and commanding the view over the village. Its interior is mindfully decorated. Here one finds the miraculous icon of the Black Virgin, that dates back to the beginning of the 16th century. Due to the deep colour of the icon, the monks gave it the adjective “black”. According to the legend, aluminous ray had indicated the mastic tree, where the icon of the virgin was found, is the very place where the first chapel in the 18th century was built.

The church of the Virgin of Charon, built in the Byzantine style towards 1600 by the Patmian monks. It comprises of three compartments and three altars, the middle one being decorated with a unique icon representing Virgin Mary carrying in her arms the inanimate body of crucified Jesus. For this reason the icon took the name of Virgin of Charon (Death).

The Chapel of St. John, built towards 1750, stands elevated, east of the village and celebrates its holiday on the 29th August. The Chapel of the Assumption, amid and orchard, west of the village, was built at the beginning of the 16th century. It celebrates it feast on the 17th August.

Lipsi are a group of islets, of which the largest, Lipso, is alone inhabited.

AREA: 15.98 sq.km.

TOTAL LENGTH OF THE COASTLINE: 35.1 km.

DISTANCES: 182 miles from Piraeus. It is situated north of Leros, 11 miles from Agia Marina harbour and east, 12 miles from Patmos.

STRUCTURE OF THE GROUND: Flat in its southern part, the relief in its northern part has its highest point at 300 m.

The climate is mild in winter and refreshing in summer.
 

<click to go back>