Photo source: visitagiasos.gr
At the foot of Mount Olympus of Lesvos, at an altitude of 475 meters and just 26 kilometers from Mytilene, lies Agiasos – a picturesque village that is not just a destination, but an authentic experience. “Visit Agiasos”, a vibrant social organization, with the original slogan “Tradition is different” was created with the vision of reviving the traditional villages of Lesvos, starting from Agiasos itself.
What makes Agiasos special?
With approximately 2,300 residents, Agiasos is a place with deep roots in time and a strong cultural presence. The combination of religious tradition, artistic creation and local solidarity make it unique on the island of Lesvos and beyond. In its cobblestone alleys, the visitor discovers local handicrafts, woodcarvings, ceramics and textiles, with centuries of tradition and history, which continue to be created by craftsmen with love for the cultural heritage of their place.
How did the idea for the creation of Visit Agiasos come about?
Inspired by the love for culture and the vision of reviving the traditional villages of Lesvos, starting from Agiasos itself, the NGO “Visit Agiasos” was created with the support of several volunteers and focused on six pillars: Language, History, Art, Nature, Religion, Food. Through the preservation of cultural identity and the use of innovative means, the organization seeks to inspire other communities to seek their own path of extroversion. The aim is to protect and promote cultural heritage, as well as to strengthen tourism and social cohesion, with a particular emphasis on young people and the elderly, in a meaningful, participatory and innovative way. At the heart of Visit Agiasos’ philosophy is the connection between the traditional and the modern, something that is also underlined by its original slogan “Tradition is different”.
In Agiasos, the “tiles speak”. Tell us about this action of yours.
Since 2020, the 26 smart tiles of the “Talking Tiles” action, one of the most inventive initiatives of Visit Agiasos, have changed the way visitors navigate the village. The routes formed by these handmade ceramic tiles, through a digital map of QR codes, guide visitors to hidden corners of the village, connecting them with the history and traditional motifs of Agiasos. This action, with the grant and auspices of the Ministry of Culture, created a new form of cultural “treasure” and became an important tourist attraction, as it combines cultural storytelling, entertainment and interactive exploration.
What other initiatives of yours focus on creating experiential experiences?
Initiatives such as the organization’s participation in the Lesvos Food Festival, through which visitors have the opportunity to taste traditional recipes, get to know local products and come into contact with the monastic diet, connecting spirituality with gastronomy. In addition, Visit Agiasos’s participation is also decisive in the Chestnut Festival, one of the most recognizable and beloved institutions of the region. The chestnut, a product-symbol of Agiasos’ nature, stars in sweets, foods and artistic creations, attracting visitors and gastronomes from every corner of Greece. Furthermore, with a social orientation and emphasis on education and youth, it has created actions such as Philanagnosia and the “Living Museum of Kastanionas”, a series of podcasts that record the history of Kastanionas through the narratives of locals, in collaboration with the Agiasos Reading Room, as well as the international program “Imtsounes”, which connected the Agiasos High School with a school in Ethiopia, with the subject of carnival masks and their symbolism. The organization actively supports Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) programs, such as the Action for the Coastal Communities of Lesvos, with the support of the Athena I. Martinou Foundation, as well as the TrashArt Program through ERASMUS+. All Visit Agiasos initiatives are based on volunteerism, collective participation, hospitality and love for tradition. The organization’s office at the entrance to the village functions as an information hub for visitors, but also as a meeting place for the community. Of course, the success of Visit Agiasos would not have been possible without its strategic partnerships. Through the use of European programs such as the NSRF and partnerships with the Ministry of Culture, the University of the Aegean and local organizations such as the Reading Room, it has secured stable support and development of its actions.
What experiences can a visitor have in Agiasos today?
Thanks to these initiatives, Agiasos has evolved into a destination for cultural, gastronomic and walking tourism, where the visitor is not a simple observer but an active participant. They can run in mountain races, attend experiential workshops, cook Agiasos recipes or simply enjoy the nature and tradition that the alleys of… well, anyway.
Source: marketinggreece.com
