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It is built on top of a pine-clad hill, near the port. It is one of the largest castles in the Mediterranean. Its construction started in around 483-565 AD and was completed during the years of the rule of the Genoese family of Gatelouzi ( 1355-1462 ). Ancient materials were used in the building. In 1373 small towers were built inside the castle by Francisco A' Gatelouzo.

In 1384, an earthquake destroyed it and it had to be reconstructed. Later it was fortified with new ramparts, dikes and cannons. The Turks took control of the Castle in 1462.

The palace of the Gatelouzi still stands, a square stone tower with an inlaid slab.

The shapes on the slab show the coat of arms of the Gatelouzi and scenes from Roman duels. On the outer gate of the Castle, there is the coat of arms of the Paleologi.

During the years of Ottoman rule, a seminary was built - the building is still preserved today - and other works took place. Under the castle there is a system of tunnels, which offered shelter to women and children during war and a cistern ( capacity 4,000 m3 ). Today the castle is used for cultural events.

It is on the pine-clad hill of Ayia Kyriaki northwest of Mytilini. It came to light during excavations carried out in 1958 and it is considered one of the biggest theatres of antiquity, with a capacity of 15,000 people and perfect acoustics.

According to tradition, during a visit to Lesvos the Roman Emperor Pompey decided to build a similar one in Rome.

 It was built in the Byzantine era on the ruins of ancient walls, as a defence against raids made by Franks and Turks. It was completed in 1373 by the Genoese Fransisco Gatelouzo.

Later the Ottomans extended the fortifications. It is very well built from red and brown trachyte rock, with strong walls and inlaid slabs carrying inscriptions, coats of arms and other marks. The space is divided in several levels.

The main gate is made of heavy wood and is covered with metal slabs. The castle stands on the top of a pine-clad hill and is among the best preserved in the Eastern Mediterranean. Today it is used for cultural events.

It is a small stone castle, built sometime in the 1750s or 1760s in the Ottoman style by the vice admiral of the Ottoman fleet Souleiman Pasha for the protection of the port against pirates.

The town is square and has towers in its corners. It has two double gates, east and west, which are covered with iron. It has a top-pointed arch - typical of the Arabic architecture - made of alternating red and white stones.

Similar are the arches of the rooms used by the guards. It is in very good condition. The visitor can admire Turkish inscription and decorations. The Castle offers a wonderful view of the Aegean Sea.