ONE INTERESTING

DAY TRIP

from Kerkis Bay Hotel combines historical trails and gastronomic delights. The route includes the Heraion Temple, the Pythagorio Archaeological Museum and the Samos Wine Museum [1 hour and 11 minutes by car or 46km without taking the stops into account].

Pythagorio stands on the site of Ancient Samos, the first organized settlement on the island, where traces of habitation date back to the 4th millennium BC. Here visitors can view a unique archaeological monument, the Heraion, a double Ionic-order temple dedicated to the worship of the mother goddess, Hera, which was built on the site of the first stone altar topped by a wooden votive statue of the goddess.

Although only a single pillar still stands today at the site, a stroll around the grounds suffices for one to grasp the scale of this impressive temple which measured 55.16 x 108.63m, and once had 155 marble pillars that stood 20m tall! (Tel. +30 22730 62813).

The island’s historical and cultural development from the 4th millennium BC to the 7th century AD is presented via the exhibits at the Pythagorio Archaeological Museum in the heart of what was once the ancient city of Samos. Around 3000 exhibits (including statues, sarcophagi, coins, pots and sculptures) from the ancient city of Samos and the countryside on the island are on display here (tel. +30 22730 62813).

To get to know the lie of the land better, a stop off at the Samos Wine Museum is a must. It’s located at the winery run by the Union of Vinicultural Cooperatives of Samos at Malagari and there you can try the award winning Samiot wine and get to know the vinification process up close, as you go on a journey through traditional wine making methods and practices. There is a € 2 entry fee, which includes tasting some of the best, internationally acclaimed local wines. (Union of Vinicultural Cooperatives of Samos, Malagari, Samos GR-83100, tel. +30 22730-87511)

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