ocean-pilgrim

Intention has found her winter home on the Island of Leros for the past 4 years  and coming back to the island is like coming home to an old friend.  The familiar faces, the friendliness of the locals and the collegial chats in the boatyard as we all prepare our boats for the coming season let alone the sheer beauty of the island itself.  That said, it is not without a complex and difficult history. From being passed back and forth to occupying forces from the Ottomans to the Italians, to Germans and finally Greeks (despite it’s people always identifying as Greek). Incarcerations of political prisoners, a mental asylum that housed mentally ill people from all over Greece in pretty appalling conditions plus an island that was bombed mercilessly and thoroughly in WW2 is just a part of its history. Currently it deals with an asylum seeker population although the number have slowed to a trickle and the population seems to integrate the refugees as best it can as they wait for passage further into the EU. Perhaps because of this trying history it’s people are strong, resilient and compassionate.

There is much to this island that I won’t go into as it would fill pages to do it justice. Instead I’ll show you some of what I love about it.

World War 2 has left it’s mark all over Leros. The Italians capitulated here then the English joined with them against the Germans only to be over run and captured by them. Miraculously despite the terrible losses of troops (some 1500 on Leros alone) no civilians were killed as they fled into caves whenever the bombings and hand to hand fighting occurred. Also their major church in Platanos managed to remain standing despite intense bombing. The locals considered it a miracle given the heaviest shelling in Greece occurred on Leros.

The Castle was built in the 10th century and refortified during the crusades and its has the most extraordinary views in all directions. Now it looks benevolently down over churches, beaches, windmills and everyday life.

Of course Leros is also a place of great beauty and we always love a walk around the tiny fishing harbour in Panteli and a fantastic meal afterwards…..