Museums and other monuments

Archeological Museum
The museum of Limnos, located in Mirina, has been operating since 1961 in a three-storey building near the “Romaic shoreline”. The museum houses findings from the excavations of the Italian School in Poliohni, Kavirio and Hephaestia. It also hosts the exhibits from the 5th Curator of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities originated from many regions of the island.
On the ground floor, the visitor begins his/her tour with findings from prehistoric Limnos. The visitor can view exhibits from Poliohni, extending from the oldest period, known as” the Black era”, through to the “Violet period”. Also located on the first floor are artifacts of Mirina and the entire island from the early Copper Ages as well as specimens of Mycenaean ceramics from Koukonissi.
On the same floor are exhibited also the marbles of the museum. Sculptures, inscriptions and tomb stones from Limnos and Imvros. Among the most important is a great replica of Erotas, work of the sculptor Lissipos, and two marble bas-relief lecythus.
On the first floor the visitor sees sculptures, tomb stones, inscriptions, pots and other artifacts from the islands of Limnos and Imvros. On the second floor, are exhibits from Limnos dated back from the 8th to the 6th century B.C.
These are exhibits excavated from the town of Kavirio, which has brought to light exquisite vessels, and the town of Hephaestia which has provided specimens of the sanctuary of the Great Goddess. The “sphinx” and the “Sirens”, divinities of the Under World that escorted mortals to Hades, are amongst two of the most important exhibits. 

The Castle of Mirina
The prominent castle of Mirina is built on a steep and rugged peninsula, communicating with the mainland from the east. It was built in 1186 A.D by the Byzantine emperor Andronicus A’ Komninos upon the remnants of a Pelasgic wall, fortifying the ancient city. The town’s current image began its formation in 1207, when the refined Venetian Navigayiozo, Great Duke of Limnos, decided to fortify Mirina. However, it is his successor, Leonardo Navigayiozo, who creates an impervious fortification of the castle, managing to keep it under his dominion for the next 45 years.During Mirina’s siege from the Russian fleet in 1770, the castle suffered great damage. But, it was at this period, that the Orlof siblings constructed a replica of the castle, on top of a hill at the southern part of the city that still stands today and is known with the name “Ntapia”.
The castle has two entrances, one of which is at the northern side where a triple wall has been constructed and owing to its natural fortification, has earned the title of the strongest fortress of the Aegean.
At the east and south sides, the wall reaches its highest point and the towers increase in number. At the highest point of the hill there is a large semi-damaged. It is beyond doubt that the castle is one of the major sights worth seeing in Limnos.
And that is not only because it reveals a great deal about the glory of the past, but also because in its surroundings the traveller will see a significant population of domesticated deers, roaming freely!

Holy Temple of Agia Triada (Holy Trinity)
The church of Agia Triada is the cathedral of Mirina. It constitutes a remarkable specimen of architectural temple construction, with a basilica, a cupola and side angles.
The interior decoration literally rivets the visitor, while the gold-plated, woodcut icon screen, the archbishop’s throne and, the entire religious painting provoke great admiration.
Finally, we should mention that the Cathedral of Limnos also plays host to the Ecclesiastic Museum, where great specimens of byzantine and post-byzantine art are displayed, along with valuable heirlooms of churches and other theological monuments of Limnos

Panagia Kakaviotissa
The temple of Panagia Kakaviotissa, built within a cave at the top of the hill Kakavos, is roofless and barely painted. The scenery is quite mystic though, given that the entire interior is filled with alcoves, which might have been used as cells for the local monks, or as observation posts in times of pirate attacks.
For the visitor who is stationed at Mirina and wishes to get to the temple of Panagia Kakaviotissa through the forest, there is a very scenic path, filled with vegetation and scented flowers, that will lead him/her there within 20 minutes.
Many years ago, the place hosted a long-lasting religious festival, gathering locals from all the near-by villages of Thanos, Plati and Kondia. People used to come early in the morning, participate at the Mass that was solemnized in this open-air temple and then, enjoy till late at night the feast that took place.