Obiščite muzej petrifikovanega gozda

À propos

Faits rapides: Lesbos is home to one of the richest petrified forests in the world, covering over 15,000 hectares. These fossilized trees, dating back 20 million years, stand upright with intact root systems, bark, and even growth rings preserved by volcanic ash.

Points forts: You can walk right up to a 20-million-year-old sequoia trunk that still stands exactly where it grew, its rings perfectly visible to the naked eye. The petrification process replaced each cell with silica, creating vivid reds, yellows, and oranges in the fossilized wood that catch the afternoon light.

Conseils d'initiés

• Wear closed-toe shoes as the paths are uneven gravel and some fossils require short uphill walks.
• Visit the indoor museum first to watch the 3D documentary, which explains how the forest was preserved.
• Bring a camera with a macro lens for close-ups of the cross-sections where colors and rings are most visible.
• Skip midday in summer when the exposed site offers no shade and temperatures exceed 35°C (95°F).

Plus d'attractions à Lesbos

Mytilene Castle

Thermal Springs of Eftalou

Agios Therapon Church

Petra Beach