Studying the history of the island of Samos, Greece

TOUCH OF THE PAST HERITAGE OF GREECE Inca Piegsa Kuizchott, writer, fearless girl few of our friends called my friend Maureen and I "two fearless beast." We got this nickname because it is not on this earth a place where we were not ready to go. This summer we have not hesitated for a long time, choosing a destination. The fact that we both love history and literature, and prefer to combine all this in an interesting journey of discovery. Therefore, we went to a day trip to the Greek island of Samos in search of two historic landmarks: the tunnel Evpalinosa, recognized as one of the eight wonders of the ancient world and the Museum of Folklore, depicting life on an island in the twenties of the last century. A few general words about the island of Samos Greek island of Samos is located in the northeast Aegean Sea, can be reached in half an hour on the ferry, which departs from the Turkish port of Kusadasi. Quite naturally, we have used exactly this kind of transport. According to Greek mythology, Hera was born on the island, long-suffering wife of Zeus, so in all ages of the people of Samos were honored this ancient Greek goddess. The mountains on the island of Samos, Greece There are a lot of sufficiently high mountains, on the slopes of which can be seen rampant evergreen vegetation. Mount Kerkis is the highest mountain in the northeast Aegean Sea. Here, excellent beaches, coves, villages, historic sites and hotels to stay in them will be able to afford almost everyone. The capital of Samos, where the ferry berths, is located on the east coast and is called Vati. The path to the island of Samos from Turkey a few days a year we hold the Turkish town of Didim, which is two hours' drive southeast of the port of Kusadasi. The ferry, owned by "Minder Travel, departs daily from Kusadasi to Vathi. The ship departs at nine in the morning, and returned to the ferry from Samos to five in the evening. Time - a half hour, ticket price 60 euros per person. The ferry runs only in summer months and required to have a visa and a valid passport. We do not want to get up early, and did not really slept, to travel long distances by road, so we thought it prudent to come to Kusadasi in the evening and stay overnight. We were pleasantly surprised that the ticket price includes delivery to ferry us to the hotel for departure and return there after the arrival of the return flight. It's worth the asking. For those who would pay for a trip on the spot, adding that the box office of "Minder Travel and tour operator offices are located near the entrance to the port, near the restaurant Taurus. You only need to climb a flight of stairs. Night in Kusadasi If you want to simplify your task and to stay in Kusadasi, you perfect hotel Opus Apart. " I traveled with my girlfriend, so I took a room for two. Poluchchilos that one night and cost us a total of 30 new Turkish liras (YTL) per person (100 lire is about $ 65). The rooms are very spacious, clean and equipped with small kitchenette. The hotel has a large enough pool, manicured gardens, a small shop and free internet access. You may also melenkim bus, which is called "dolmus" to go to the stop Migros, and walk up the hill or walk 15 minutes to the center of Kusadasi. Minute holiday in Kusadasi Despite the fact that you can eat in the restaurant, we decided to visit his friend in the restaurant "Toros", located on the waterfront near the port entrance. This place is always filled with locals, which in itself testifies to the fact that we are on the right track. Here you can choose hot or cold dishes with an open buffet and the cook behind him, fill your dish to your taste and preferences. Afiet olsun! (Bon appetit!) Walk on the island of Samos When we arrived on the island and passed the passport control, we've got about seven hours to see everything that we wanted to see. According to our plan, the first stop was the tunnel Evpalinosa, located near the monastery Spilianis on the southern coast of the island directly above the city Pifogorion. We went from building the port, turned right and walked along the main road to proschadi Lyon, where the taxi stand. Could reach any point of the island by bus, but we wanted to save time and took a taxi which cost us 16 euros. For longer trips, it might be more convenient to rent a car or scooter. If you are more suited taaya idea, then you'll find several of these agencies on its way from the port to the area of ??Lyon. Tunnel Evpalinosa the heyday of the island occurred in the reign of the tyrant Polycrates from 538 th to 522 th BC. At the same time the tunnel was built to deliver drinking water from the mountains to the coast. To date, one can only see the middle part of this tunnel-aqueduct. For its construction took ten years. The tunnel was a true work of art, he was named in honor of its builder - the Greek engineer Evpalinosa. The scale of construction in those times were very impressive. Countless drifters alternately punched a tunnel through the mountains and laid ceramic tubes, which subsequently had to go to the water. Arriving on the island of Samos for viewing this attractions have to pay 10 euros. At first glance, it seems that there's nothing interesting except for a dark, wide hole, surrounded by delicate railing. But it is here where the real adventure. All miracles are underground. Cross-section of the tunnel close to the square, its height - 1,8 m, width - about 1,3 m. The house on the island of Samos When you visit the tunnel has to be careful and requires some courage. Viewing of this structure is particularly not recommended for people who suffer from claustrophobia, or too full. If you do not watch your diet, then you have every chance to literally get stuck in the tunnel is absolutely nowhere to turn. When you go down the wooden steps, you'll see that the tunnel a little wider. He is well lit throughout the length. As might be expected, the ground is wet, and sometimes even the slippery, so do not wear no sandals, high heels or flip-flops, if you do not want to break my ankle. Technical and design level of the ancient builders and engineers deserves considerable respect. There is even a side tunnel, where you can see those same ceramic pipes age more than two thousand years. Surprisingly, some of them still are in perfect condition. When you have finished viewing the masterpiece of ancient plumbing, we headed to our next stop, the Museum of Folklore. If you ask a guy who sells tickets at the box office of the tunnel, he will call you a taxi, because I get to the museum is the only way. Folklore Museum Our second current attraction located in the city Pifogorion on the southern coast of the island. The Museum is managed and founded by a private foundation Nikolaos Dimitriou. In fact, we had two good reasons to visit the museum. Firstly, this is a unique opportunity to look inside and gouboko to experience Greek culture and life of the local village before World War II. Secondly, the women, this museum very interesting, because it is located on the lands of the luxurious sea-spa-resort "Dorrissa Bay. Schedule yourself for an hour extra free time, and you have a great opportunity to join a useful lesson - the study of history and culture, with the useful - a massage or any other type of spa treatments. Ah yes, the representatives of the sterner sex can not grieve, for men there is also something to pick up ... The entrance to the tunnel Evpalinosa, which was built to bring water to the coast The museum is open only to half a second and not everyone are lucky, as porvezlo us when we were late by 20 minutes, and it re-opened for us. You may ask, where is the luck? There is nothing unusual. Simply, we explained the museum staff that specifically came from Turkey to uvidetetu exposure, and that the leaflet tour operator had not been prescribed hours of operation of the museum. And, both were true. The tunnel Evpalinosa The Museum of Folklore are just tools, household items and musical instruments that were used on the island for a relatively short historical period - XVIII and XIX centuries past millennium. We liked the cute little village house reconstruction. It was made by a fireplace and a lifting platform, which served as a guest room. Farm tools, weaving looms, lace and handmade, traditional clothing, etc. - all rolled into a very nice and logical. Ekskaursovody can even run the old technological equipment, to show how early did the cheese and bake bread. However, unfortunately, due to lack of time, we were not able to participate in this exciting technological process. Resort Dorrissa Bay Council for beginners: If you plan to spend on the island more than one day, you should inquire about the prices in hotels, which would be not the lowest in Greece. In some hotels did not have a price list; good that information about any and all hotels are on the Internet. Hato anywhere you can find out prices for cosmetic and health-restoring procedure. Raslablyayuschy massage costs 100 euros for 55 minutes, which, in principle, afford most of the traveling Europeans. Looking at a small bar, which is located in the hotel lobby, you can enjoy complimentary freshly squeezed juices. Finally, the staff kindly call you a taxi, so you can go back to Vathi. Bedroom at the Museum of folklore on the island of Samos in Vathi Already, when the ferry was in sight, we decided to satisfy our sweet tooth and eat ice cream. Look for Cafe Delight Ice Cream Parlor "on the main street leading to the ferry terminal. The word "ice" not even close to suitable to describe the composition and diversity, which offers a great cafe. No such combination of sweet dishes, which would not have been, or could not do for you, including cakes and pancakes. It's very nice to sit and rasslabitsyachtoby pass the time until boarding. What else can you do, of course, if you followed our lead and went on a day trip, you have to choose what attractions you would like to view. If you have the opportunity to stay on the island a little more than one day, there are several additional opportunities for travelers with different tastes and needs. Farm implements at the Museum of folklore turns out, was born in Samos, Pythagoras, so hikers should visit the caves in the mountains on the northern coast of the island, in which ancient scholar was forced into hiding when the tyrant Polycrates sent soldiers to search for him. For the curious tourists also have to examine the meaning of the ruins of the temple of Hera in Gerayone, on the southern coast of Samos. Greek lace Besides land routes, there mnozhno good fun on the water. Local enterprising citizens can offer you a ride on a boat to another Greek Island - Naxos. On many beaches, for example, on the beach "Votsakaliya", located in the northern part of the island, there is a good opportunity to explore the underwater scenery, using the "Kit Number 1 - a mask, breathing tube and flippers. Yes, I almost forgot to give advice to lovers of colorful drinks! Be sure to buy a bottle of the famous wines of the island of Samos. But do not drink it all at once, the wine is very strong! See also: Company Evrinoma ": an ancient goddess and queen of pirates