Leros history

The history of Leros is rooted in the prehistoric era and is closely intertwined with ancient Greek mythology. According to legend, this island was chosen by the goddess of the hunt, Artemis, as her personal domain.

• The first historically confirmed inhabitants of the island are considered to be the Carians, Cretans, and Leleges, who arrived from Asia Minor.
• Subsequently, the island was colonized by the Ionians from Miletus, which determined its cultural path of development.
• Leros is mentioned by Homer in the epic poem 'The Iliad': together with neighbouring Kalymnos, the island sent ships to participate in the Trojan War.

The transformation of Leros into a significant point on the map of the Aegean Sea was due to a combination of natural and geopolitical factors.

• Unique geography: The island possesses a heavily indented coastline. Lakki Bay is one of the deepest and safest natural harbours in the entire Mediterranean, making the island an ideal location for fleet anchorage.
• Connection with Miletus: A close political and trade alliance with the powerful city-state of Miletus ensured protection and stable economic growth for Leros during the ancient period.
• Participation in alliances: In the 5th century BC, the island became a member of the Delian League under the aegis of Athens, strengthening its status in the region.

Early life on the island was characterized by a developed spiritual culture and active maritime activity.

• Cult of Artemis: The religious centre of the island was the sanctuary of the goddess in Partheni (the modern airport area), upon the ruins of which Christian churches were later erected.
• Intellectual life: Leros became the birthplace of the famous ancient Greek logographer and historian Pherecydes (5th century BC).
• Economic base: The foundation of prosperity was maritime trade, fishing, and agriculture, which flourished in the fertile valleys of the island.

Antiquity and the Middle Ages

• 5th century BC — Leros joins the Delian League, becoming an ally of Athens in the struggle against the Persians.
• 1309 — The island comes under the control of the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of Saint John, who fortify the Castle of Panteli.
• 1523 — After the fall of Rhodes, Leros is conquered by the Ottoman Empire led by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.
• 1648 — The Venetian fleet under the command of Leonardo Foscolo temporarily captures the island and destroys part of the fortifications.

The Modern Era and the Italian Period

• 1821 — The inhabitants of Leros actively join the Greek War of Independence, providing their ships.
• 1830 — According to the London Protocol, the island returns to Ottoman administration in exchange for Euboea.
• 1912 — During the Italo-Turkish War, the Italian fleet occupies the island, beginning the period of Italian rule.
• 1923 — The Treaty of Lausanne officially cements Italy's sovereignty over the Dodecanese islands.
• 1930s — Large-scale construction of the city of Porto Lago (now Lakki), which became the main base of the Italian Navy in the Aegean Sea.

The Second World War and Modernity

• September 1943 — After the capitulation of Italy, the island is subjected to massive German bombardment (the beginning of the Battle of Leros).
• November 1943 — German troops capture the island after fierce fighting against British and Greek forces.
• May 1945 — End of the German occupation and the transfer of Leros to the temporary administration of the British military.
• 10 February 1947 — A peace treaty is signed in Paris, providing for the transfer of the entire Dodecanese archipelago to Greece.
• 7 March 1948 — The official ceremony of the reunification of Leros with the Greek state takes place.
• End of the 20th century — The beginning of the active development of tourism infrastructure and the transformation of the island into a popular destination for diving.

Key Stages of Development and Transformation

The history of Leros is not simply a change of rulers, but a series of fundamental changes in the appearance and economy of the island. Each era has left its unique mark, forming the modern portrait of this corner of the Aegean Sea.

• Fortification of Kastro Panteli (Period of the Knights of Saint John).
  Significance: The transformation of the Byzantine fortress into a powerful defensive complex determined the urban planning axis of the island for centuries to come. The historical settlements of Platanos and Agia Marina formed around the castle, where residents took shelter from pirate raids.
• The Flourishing of Neoclassicism (19th century).
  Significance: Thanks to successful maritime trade and the return of wealthy emigrants from Egypt, the coastal areas (especially Agia Marina) were adorned with elegant mansions. This gave the island's capital a noble and cosmopolitan architectural appearance, distinguishing it from typical Cycladic villages.
• Creation of the City of Porto Lago (1930s).
  Significance: The Italian administration implemented a unique urban planning project in Lakki Bay. A garden city in the Rationalist style (Art Deco) was built from scratch on the site of marshes. Wide streets, parks, and monumental buildings made Lakki an open-air museum of architecture, unparalleled in Greece.
• Military Industrialization (Mid-20th century).
  Significance: The strategic position of the island led to the creation of massive military infrastructure: roads, barracks, warehouses, and tunnels. After the war, these facilities were adapted for civilian needs, becoming the basis for the modern road network and administrative buildings.
• Integration into the Greek Space (1948).
  Significance: Reunification with Greece launched processes of cultural unification and educational reforms. The island transitioned to the Greek administrative system while preserving its multicultural heritage in daily life and architecture.
• Reorientation towards Niche Tourism (Late 20th — 21st century).
  Significance: Leros avoided mass construction of giant hotels, betting on yachting and diving. The presence of deep harbours allowed for the creation of modern marinas, and sunken ships from the Second World War turned the coastal waters into a unique underwater museum, attracting divers from all over the world.

The architectural appearance of Leros is unique for the Aegean region. Unlike the typical 'blue and white' Cyclades, a complex mosaic of styles has developed here, reflecting the island's turbulent history. Urban development proceeded non-linearly: from chaotic medieval construction on the heights for protection against pirates to carefully planned urban projects of the 20th century in coastal zones.

Architectural Styles and Historical Eras

Each period of rule and economic upturn left its visual imprint on the island, forming three main architectural layers:

• Medieval and Vernacular Architecture (Byzantine Period and Knights of Saint John).
  Characterized by dense construction, narrow winding streets, and fortress-houses. This style dominates in the oldest districts located on the slopes of the hills. The main purpose of such planning was defence and protection from the wind.
• Neoclassicism (19th – early 20th century).
  The era of the flourishing of maritime trade and the return of wealthy emigrants from Egypt. Two-storey mansions ('archontika') appeared in coastal settlements with symmetrical facades, wrought-iron balconies, pediments, and pastel colouring (ochre, terracotta), which distinguishes them from traditional white houses.
• Italian Rationalism and Art Deco (1923–1943).
  A unique phenomenon for Greece. The Italian administration turned Lakki Bay into an experimental ground for modern architecture. The Razionalismo style was applied here: strict geometric forms, functionality, wide streets, and large-scale landscaping.

Landmark Buildings and Districts

The urban fabric of Leros is heterogeneous, and travelling around the island resembles moving through time across different architectural settings.

• Lakki (formerly Porto Lago): The most striking example of Italian urban planning in the Mediterranean. The city was designed from scratch by architects Armando Bernabiti and Rodolfo Petracco.
  • Cinema and Hotel 'Roma': Buildings with characteristic rounded forms and large windows.
  • Market (Agora): A structure with a clock tower and a round atrium, which became the symbol of the city.
  • Primary School: An example of combining Rationalism with elements of the Byzantine style (arched colonnades).
• Agia Marina and Platanos: The historical heart of the island, where tradition and neoclassicism intertwine.
  • Mansions on the waterfront: Former residences of Egyptian Greeks, giving the port an aristocratic look.
  • Windmills: A chain of restored windmills on the ridge of the hill, marking the boundary of the old town.
• Kastro (Fortress of Panteli): The dominant feature of the medieval era. Powerful fortification walls, erected on an ancient foundation, define the silhouette of the capital and serve as an example of the military architecture of the Knights Hospitaller.

Leros has become a home and a place of inspiration for many prominent people, from ancient thinkers to innovative architects of the 20th century. Here is a list of key figures who left a mark on the history of the island.

Pherecydes of Leros (5th century BC)

• Role: Ancient Greek logographer, historian, and mythographer.
• Historical significance: One of the first prose writers of antiquity. Although most of his works are lost, he is known as the author of a fundamental work dedicated to the history and traditions of his native island, referenced by later ancient authors.

Demodocus of Leros (6th century BC)

• Role: Lyric poet.
• Historical significance: A master of epigram and elegy. His work was highly appreciated by contemporaries for its wit and conciseness; some of his sayings are quoted in the works of Aristotle as examples of the folk wisdom of the Ionians.

Saint Christodoulos (11th century)

• Role: Monk, reformer of monastic life, founder of monasteries.
• Historical significance: Received the island as a possession from the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos. It was he who initiated the fortification of the Castle of Panteli and the construction of the Church of the Virgin Mary (Panagia tou Kastrou), which remains the spiritual centre of Leros to this day.

Manuel Gedeon (1851–1943)

• Role: Distinguished historian of the church, philologist, Great Chartophylax of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
• Historical significance: A native of Leros who dedicated his life to the study of Byzantine and post-Byzantine texts. His scholarly works are an invaluable source of knowledge about the culture and history of Greek Orthodoxy.

Armando Bernabiti (1900–1970)

• Role: Italian architect.
• Historical significance: The main creator of the unique appearance of the city of Lakki. He designed key buildings in the Rationalist style (cinema, market, school), turning the city into an open-air museum of architecture unparalleled in the Mediterranean.

Georgios Roussos (1868–1947)

• Role: Lawyer, diplomat, and statesman.
• Historical significance: A prominent politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece. He actively defended the country's interests in the international arena and contributed to the development of his native island during the difficult period of the first half of the 20th century.