Sigri brings together two very different perspectives on Lesbos: the fossils in the protected area and the history of a village with communal wells, a church, a hammam and a mill. The headquarters of the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest is in Sigri, at the centre of the protected area. When planning a trip, you can therefore explore natural history and village history as distinct themes rooted in the same place. It is also practical when choosing where to stay that Sigri can be explored on foot and that there are several ways to get there.
Fossils in Sigri Park
Sigri Park preserves evidence of the rarity of petrified trees that appear to still be rooted in their original locations. In the park, petrified trunks of angiosperms and conifers rise from the surrounding layers of volcanic ash. There are also numerous petrified branches, leaves and cones. This means visitors can see everything from large trunks to other plant parts preserved in the ash layers. Large pieces of petrified tree trunks that were brought to the park for storage and preservation are also on display. Two forms can therefore be seen side by side: trunks that appear to still be rooted in their original locations, and large pieces that were brought there for storage and preservation.
Sigri Park has a 350-metre-long walking trail. Check the current park regulations before your visit. A guide to Sigri Park, with detailed information about fossil-bearing sites and walking trails, is available at the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest. Ask about its availability in advance if you plan to use it for your trip.
Wells, Church and Hammam
Several old public communal wells have been preserved in Sigri. They served as water sources for residents when homes had not yet been connected to the water supply, with a few exceptions. The wells give the village’s history a communal, everyday scale: rather than individual buildings, they bring past water-supply routines into focus.
The Church of the Holy Trinity is the parish church and the main church of Sigri. The Sigrian Hammam is on the main square, opposite the church. It was built at the initiative of Suleiman Pasha, is privately owned and has not been restored. The hammam cannot be visited inside. The location of the two buildings on the main square provides a clear point of reference for understanding these historic places within the village.
The Village Windmill and Its Former Use
The village windmill also tells of past activities in Sigri. It stands at the top of the village next to the Natural History Museum and was used by the local population as a grain mill and bakery. Its history draws attention to processing and provisioning, while the communal wells represent another aspect of everyday life at the time. Together, the preserved sites show different aspects of village history without needing to be linked into a set sightseeing route.
Getting There and Finding Your Way Around
Sigri can be reached by ferry via the port, by private boat or yacht, or by car. If travelling by ferry, it is worth checking the timetable in advance. Sigri can be explored on foot once you are in the village. This lets you treat getting there and finding your way around the village as two separate planning questions.
Discover more destinations: Vatera, Agia Paraskevi, Nees Kidonies, Arisvi, Mithymna, Charamida, Skala Eresou, Kalloni
For the main travel overview: Lesbos.
