Mytilene — Sappho's Lost Poems

Your journey begins in Sappho Square (Plateia Sapphous), an urban landmark in Mytilene's historic heart, near the port. Here stands the statue of the ancient poetess Sappho, born around 650 BC on the island of Lesbos. This public gathering place, with its fountain and pedestrian areas, embodies the cultural heritage of the one whom Plato, centuries later, would proclaim the "Tenth Muse." The first clue, virtually engraved on an imaginary plinth in augmented reality, sets you on the path to the lost fragments.

Your quest then leads you to the Archaeological Museum of Mytilene, opened in 1969 in a neoclassical building from 1914. Spanning 1,200 m² of exhibition space, this museum houses a collection of over 3,000 artifacts, including ceramics and sculptures from ancient Mytilene, covering the Bronze Age to the Roman era. Here you will discover artifacts related to Sappho (650-570 BC) and Hellenistic papyrus fragments found on Lesbos, invaluable clues for your research.

Continue towards the Ancient Greek Theatre of Mytilene, built around 330 BC under the Hellenistic dynasts. With its 24 m diameter orchestra and an estimated capacity of 15,000 spectators, this site, located on a hill 1 km from the center, is a testament to the island's cultural past. Partially restored in the 20th century, it was a venue for festivals and events that evoke Sappho's era. A holographic message materializes on the stands, revealing your next step.

The route then takes you to Mytilene Castle, a Byzantine fortress fortified by the Genoese in 1373. Covering 20 hectares on Ordon Hill, with 10 m high walls, it offers panoramic views of Mytilene port. Although linked to Lesbos' post-antique history, particularly its occupation by the Ottomans until 1462, its ramparts may have served as a refuge or observation post for scholars seeking to protect the island's literary treasures. You will have to decipher a code based on cardinal points from a tower.

Your exploration concludes on Aphrodite Hill, after having walked along the ancient Port of Mytilène, used since the 7th century BC, Sappho's era, and admired the Agios Therapon Church (1812) and the Yeni Tzami Mosque (1825). These diverse stages will have taken you through the layers of Lesbos' potential UNESCO World Heritage. As a scholar, you will not only have found fragments of the poems but also forged a deep connection with the history of Mytilene, capital of Lesbos, and its legacy as an ancient Greek archaeological site, a true immersion in the history of Lesbos.