Loutropoli Thermis

Loutropoli Thermis (Greek: Λουτρόπολη Θερμής) is a village and a former municipality on the island of Lesbos, North Aegean, Greece. Since the 2019 local government reform it is part of the municipality Mytilene, of which it is a municipal unit.^[2] It is located on the central east coast of the island. It has a land area of 79.468 km².^[3] Its population was 2,772 at the 2021 census. Loutrópoli Thermís was the seat of the municipality that comprises Loutrópoli Thermís, Pigi, Komi, Mistegna and Nees Kydonies. The largest towns are Loutrópoli Thermís, Mistegná, Nées Kydoníes, and Pigí.

Loutropoli Thermis Λουτρόπολη Θερμής
Municipal unit
Aerial view of Thermi port
Loutropoli Thermis Location within the regional unit
Coordinates: 39°11′N 26°29′E
Country	Greece
Administrative region	North Aegean
Regional unit	Lesbos
Municipality	Mytilene
Area
• Municipal unit	79.5 km2 (30.7 sq mi)
Population  (2021)[1]
• Municipal unit	2,772
• Municipal unit density	35/km2 (90/sq mi)
• Community	914
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Vehicle registration	MY

History

The prehistoric settlement of Thermi

The region of Thermi has a history going back five thousand years. The region takes its name from the thermal springs located there for centuries. Archaeological finds indicate that during the antiquity, the Greek goddess Artemis was worshipped as protector of the curative springs.

After archaeological excavations in the past years next to the beach, the layers and traces of five cities built one over the other were revealed, the oldest of which dates back to the middle of the 3rd millennium. The magnificence and the radiance of the religious and therapeutic centre of Thermi is also testified by numerous archaeological finds, including the foundations of buildings and inscriptions. Some of these relics are exhibited at the outdoor archaeological site of Horafa. At the beginning of the 20th century, the region of Thermi was popular for its luxurious hotel, Sarlitza Palace, which was built on the plans of French architects. For about thirty years, it received great recognition, attracting visitors and celebrities from all over the world. Today it is in decline and only the hot baths are operational.

References

1. "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
2. "Τροποποίηση του άρθρου 1 του ν. 3852/2010" [Amendment of Article 1 of l. 3852/2010] (in Greek). Government Gazette. p. 1164.
3. "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-21.