Sanctuary of Messon, Lesbos

The Sanctuary of Messon is situated in the valley of the same name, 35 km far from Mytilene, 5 km far from ancient Pyrra, and 7,5 km far from ancient Arisvi. It was named after its position in the middle of the island (in Greek: messon). The first reference to the sanctuary was made by French traveller M. Boutan, while the first excavations in the area were conducted by German archaeologist R. Koldewey from December 1885 to January 1886. The next excavations took place during the 1965-1967 period by the then Curator of the Antiquities Service V. Petrakos. The Sanctuary of Messon, a centre of panlesbian worship and the headquarters of the “Commune of Lesbians”, is situated in the region of ancient Pyrra. The first worship building, with a rectangular layout and altars, was constructed in archaic times. Its surviving parts can be seen within the stereobate of the late-classical temple (330-300 BC).