The architectural “treasures” of Lemnos constitute evidence of its cultural existence: from stone mansions in Romeikos Seashore and its imposing and quaint churches, to its simple folds, all constitute “extracts” of popular architectural wisdom, so old as well as Poliochni. But, let’s see them in parts:
• The traditional house of Lemnos, the hut, is distinguished not only for the simplicity and right study of its areas’ decoration, but also for its harmonious combination with natural environment. Moreover, it disposes of one floor and fireplace, where is the cooking corner. The two-storied house (cellar, as auxiliary place and upper floor as a house) with external stone stairs constitutes an evolution of this hut. Most of them are stone-built and later with tiles, which gives to the island great picturesqueness.
• Country churches, which overpass 400 and lie interspersed like wild flowers, among the island.
• Threshing floors and windmills obstinately withstand to time and stand up in an effort to keep alive the good old times.
• Bridges, dovecotes, war memorials, stone-sculptures, wells and springs, carry an indelible spot of this area’s architecture and particularity.
Stockyards of Lemnos
The stone-built, well-structured and roofed stockyards are in their majority big complexes of unrivalled architectural value. They are built interspersed among the island with such an orientation to protect from north wind and serve specific needs. They constitute buildings of a place, which initially were constructed for sheltering people and later animals and earth fruits. They have earthen floor, wooden roofs, small entrance door, similar south window and a stone bench, slightly elevated, which formerly used to be the shepherd’s bed. The innate sense of shapes’ harmony was impressive, while it inspired technicians who were building over the ground, “following” the then actual inclinations of the ground with an incredible “plasticity”. This unknown –and usually ignored- architecture embodies all the imprints of a primitive popular civilization.