Not much is left of the large temple that once stood here, but the Sanctuary is nevertheless an interesting site to visit.
You can still make out the dimensions of the structure which the pillars formerly supported. Considering in particular that the temple is thought to have been built in the 4th century BC, its size is impressive indeed.
The temple was destroyed in an earthquake at some point during the 3rd century AD. By this time the site had become the seat of the ‘Koinon’ (Commonwealth), a political and religious union of the city-states of Lesvos – of which there were five. As such it was a place for common festivities and worship, as well as a forum for the discussion of matters of shared concern and the arbitration of disputes.
There is evidence that following the collapse of the temple, parts of the site were turned into workshops. There are also traces of a Christian basilica which was built here at a later stage – and subsequently destroyed in the post-Byzantine period.
In a covered area near the exit various additional artefacts discovered here are on display.
They are mostly labelled quite clearly and there are also a few information boards providing further interesting facts about the site and its history.
