Vatousa is a village located 65km from the island's capital Mytilene. The village is heritage protected under statute by the Ministry of Culture, it has wonderful architectural features such as: stone paved streets, walls and stone houses. The village has been built in the centre of crater of a large volcano which was active 20 million years ago.
Vatousa today has roughly 500 houses and a population of 350 people.
The Gogos Mansion is a building that is maintained by the Vatousians, the local council and the Ministry of Culture as a small museum and has become a tourist attraction. It houses a collection of local arts and crafts, a rare collection of books and records from the early 1800s and an exhibit of photographs which document past life in Vatousa and includes a partial record of Vatousa's migrants to other parts of the world, including the United States of America, Australia, Canada and South Africa.
Vatousa has two churches. The older of the two Taxiarhis which is also the village's cemetery, which was built in 1836. The central church of the village The Dormition of the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) was built in 1850.
Vatousa has two super markets, one bakery that also serve bread to neighbouring villages of Pteronda and Rema, three coffee shops in the agora, one restaurant, souvlaki shop, accountant office and two barber shops.
Vatousa has a elementary school near the cemetary. In the 1900s there were around 600 children attending the school, today there are about 30 children.
Some of the fresh food is sold in trucks. The trucks would go through the village and stop in different places so the people can have a look and buy. Many trucks come to the village daily selling fish, fruit, vegetables, clothing, kitchen appliances and living birds and chickens.
Among the different trade practised by the residents there are carpenters, various types of stone masons, electricians, farmers, shephards, shop owners and a priest. There are many old people who have returned after living abroad and now spend their days farming or talking in the cafeneons (coffee shops). Others have been here since birth. There are also many Athenians who originally came from the village and now return for summer holidays making it a very festive time.
Every year from the 14 - 17 August, Vatousa celebrates the Dormition of the Virgin. Athenians return to Vatousa during this time to celebrate and have their summer holidays. The agora fills with people, the empty houses during winter fill with people during summer creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Vatousa today has roughly 500 houses and a population of 350 people.
The Gogos Mansion is a building that is maintained by the Vatousians, the local council and the Ministry of Culture as a small museum and has become a tourist attraction. It houses a collection of local arts and crafts, a rare collection of books and records from the early 1800s and an exhibit of photographs which document past life in Vatousa and includes a partial record of Vatousa's migrants to other parts of the world, including the United States of America, Australia, Canada and South Africa.
Vatousa has two churches. The older of the two Taxiarhis which is also the village's cemetery, which was built in 1836. The central church of the village The Dormition of the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) was built in 1850.
Vatousa has two super markets, one bakery that also serve bread to neighbouring villages of Pteronda and Rema, three coffee shops in the agora, one restaurant, souvlaki shop, accountant office and two barber shops.
Vatousa has a elementary school near the cemetary. In the 1900s there were around 600 children attending the school, today there are about 30 children.
Some of the fresh food is sold in trucks. The trucks would go through the village and stop in different places so the people can have a look and buy. Many trucks come to the village daily selling fish, fruit, vegetables, clothing, kitchen appliances and living birds and chickens.
Among the different trade practised by the residents there are carpenters, various types of stone masons, electricians, farmers, shephards, shop owners and a priest. There are many old people who have returned after living abroad and now spend their days farming or talking in the cafeneons (coffee shops). Others have been here since birth. There are also many Athenians who originally came from the village and now return for summer holidays making it a very festive time.
Every year from the 14 - 17 August, Vatousa celebrates the Dormition of the Virgin. Athenians return to Vatousa during this time to celebrate and have their summer holidays. The agora fills with people, the empty houses during winter fill with people during summer creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.