Limnos and the ANZAC Heritage
The ANZAC army in Moudros gulf of Limnos The ANZAC army in Moudros gulf of Limnos
The ANZAC military cemetery of Moudros on Limnos island The ANZAC military cemetery of Moudros on Limnos island
The ANZAC military hospital in Limnos island The ANZAC military hospital in Limnos island
Site of Anzac in Limnos, Greece Site of Anzac in Limnos, Greece
The aANZAC soldiers marching on Limnos island The aANZAC soldiers marching on Limnos island
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Limnos: The Great War Legacy
The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) & the Campaign of Gallipoli
Limnos in the Great War
ANZAC Day: 100 years since the Campaign of Gallipoli
Remembering the ANZAC in Limnos: 2015 A Year of Celebrations
The ANZAC Day centenary of April 25, 2015 presents a splendid opportunity to appraise the historical and geopolitical significance of Limnos island (Lemnos), both as a location with strong ties to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (the ANZAC Corps, as they continue to be called) and as a site on which World War I would leave its indelible historical imprint. The resting ground for hundreds of ANZAC soldiers who lost their lives in the war, a former training camp to practice landings and the base for the 3rd Australian General Hospital (the main hub for wounded soldiers from the offensive), Limnos island would become a timeless site where resilience, struggle, and even love, would unravel at so turbulent a time in world history.
Over 50 thousand Australian and New Zealand troops fought during the campaign of Gallipoli (1915), an allied expedition intended to capture the Gallipoli peninsula and allow the allied navies access to the Dardanelles. Its central objective was to capture Constantinople, the capital city of the Ottoman Empire and an ally of Germany. If the Gallipoli campaign went on for eight months, the ANZAC troops were met with resistance from the Ottoman defenders and the allied forces were evacuated at the end of 1915. Both sides suffered casualties and immense hardship, with an excess of eight thousand Australian soldiers losing their lives and another nineteen thousand suffering injuries.
Owing to its geographical position opposite the shores of Gallipoli, Limnos would serve as a spot for the disembarkation, resting, refueling and medical treatment of the thousands of Australian and New Zealand soldiers, and the hundreds of Australian nurses who came to provide care to the troops.
At approximately 80 kilometers from the Gallipoli shores, Limnos island became a prime landing, refueling and resting ground: all Australian soldiers passed through Limnos, practiced landings and rested there, or received treatment in the medical camp set up on the island. The port of Limnos itself was a departure point for all naval and submarine expeditions to Gallipoli.
In August and September 1915 alone, the Australian medical camp established in Limnos would accommodate almost 100,000 wounded soldiers. Over two hundred Australian nurses carried out their duties on the island. One of them, Clarice Daley, married Sergeant Ernest Lawrence in the west Moudros army camp in October 1915. The event of their wedding sent out a glimmer of light to the thousands of soldiers who had lost colleagues or they themselves had been wounded in the War.
As an effect of its role in the Gallipoli campaign, Limnos would receive scores of eminent Australian personae, such as Albert Jacka and Generals Birdwood and Monash. Two great Commonwealth cemeteries are located in Limnos, in the areas of Moudros and Portianos respectively.
The resultant links to the ANZAC Corps have meant that, to this day, the island has continued to maintain a strong relationship with Australia.
To Australians across the globe, April 25 is a day of remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives in the course of the Great War. To mark its joint World War I heritage with Limnos, the Australian Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee and the RSL (Returned Services League) have commissioned the creation of a bronze statue of a nurse and soldier in Limnos, which is to be erected in the Albert Pak district of Melbourne on August 8 this year.
Numerous initiatives have been taken both in Australia and Limnos island in order to preserve this integral part of Australian and Greek history and thousands of Australian and New Zealand visitors are expected to come to the island as a result of this year's ANZAC Day centenary.
Remembering the ANZAC in Limnos: A Year of Celebrations
To mark the ANZAC Day centenary, an array of events has been planned by the "Lemnos Friends of ANZAC" Association and is set to unravel on the island in the course of 2015:
New Museum in Moudros, to include a range of photographs from 1915-6 and a collection of items from that period.
New Cultural Center in Portianou to be inaugurated by the end of 2015.
New commemorative plaque to be unveiled near the Allied Cemetery of Portianou this year. The plaque represents the two Canadian nurses who worked and lost their lives in Limnos in the Great War. The plaque has been donated by the nation of Canada.
Two new mobile applications to assist visitors in their location of monuments and the production of relevant maps for individual use or gift purchase.
In collaboration with all countries involved in the Gallipoli Campaign, and the North Aegean Prefecture, the unraveling of celebrations on a monthly basis:
April 17 - 20, 2015: Official Commemorative Celebration of the centenary of Gallipoli Campaign in Limnos
March 7, 2015: Traditional Greek Dances' Night to be held by the Lyceum of Greek Women in the Clancy Auditorium of New South Wales University, Australia.
March 28, 2015 onward: Photographic exhibitions throughout Limnos. This program starts with the first photographic exhibition on the Limnos airport and it will last till end September
International Conference organized by the Lemnos Friends of the ANZAC in cooperation with worldwide World War I Veteran Associations.
June 20 - 23, 2015: A four-day-long presentation of international historical films in collaboration with all countries involved, the History of the Hellenic Army and Greek Director Nikos Volonakis.
July 17 & 18, 2015: The Lemnos Gallipoli Project, a presentation of contemporary artworks representing women's experience of the First World War, to include the premiere of 'Women at War', a modern opera by Greek- Australian composer Tasos Ioannidis.
July 20 - 23, 2015: Musical events with DJs and orchestras to commence in the Limnos location of Paleo Pedino, a stone-built village frequently mentioned in the journals of the Australian nurses that served in Limnos in the course of the campaign of Gallipoli.
August 5 - 11, 2015: Presentation of national and local traditional costumes worn in each of the countries that participated in the campaign of Gallipoli at the start of the 20th century at the Greek Culture National Museum of Limnos
End of August: A 4-day Wine-making Conference to celebrate the importance of wine production in the culture and economy of Limnos.
September 6 - 8, 2015: Conference of the Commonwealth countries Red Cross Services in collaboration with the Red Crescent on the theme of 'The use of nurses during World War I'. Mrs Clare Ashton (the ANZAC Sisters Nursery of WWI and the University of Sydney) will be the keynote speaker.
Many more festivities are planned and are in process of creating . The Lemnians' participation is very big and it seems that 2015 will be a good start to highlight the role that Limnos island has into this historical moment of Gallipoli Campaign
Source: www.friendsofanzac.com
04 Jan 2019 7°C 4°C
Accommodation in Limnos
Villages of Limnos
Limnos Beaches
Limnos Attractions
Varos Village Traditional Hotel of Limnos
Category: Limnos Hotels
Dina Hotel at Platy of Limnos
Fotini and Nikos Handmade Creations at Nea Koutali of Limnos
Category: Limnos Artists
Therma Spa at Myrina of Limnos
Category: Limnos Wellness Centers
Chatzigeorgiou Wines from Limnos
Category: Limnos Distilleries and Wineries
Siroko Windsurfing and Kitesurfing School at Keros Beach of Limnos
Category: Limnos Extreme Sports
Limnos Wines from the Union Agricultural Cooperatives of Limnos
Atsiki
31-10-2012 Hits:20315 Central Limnos
What I will see and do around Atsiki village: • Temple of Ag. Giorgos• Idyllic sand dunes• Faraklou geological monument• Gomati Beach with a backdrop of desert-like sand dunes Atsiki is the...
Plati
What I will see and do around Plati village: • Among the oldest settlements on the island• For swimming and a day at the beach; Plati, Thanos, Evgati and the peaceful…
Varos
What I will see and do around Varos village: • Sparsely inhabited, with only a smattering of year-round residents• Beautiful stone-crafted houses Varos is a picturesque village of few households and fine…
Kaspakas
What I will see and do around Kaspakas village: • Village is built on a slope/hillside• Church and beach of Ag. Yanni• Katsaitis waterfalls• Old watermill• Fine almonds and figs Six km…
Kaminia
What I will see and do around Kaminia village: • Small, traditional village• Holy Temple Kimisis of Theotokou (Dormition of the Virgin Mary)• Castles • Ancient settlement Poliochni, just outside town Kaminia…
Romanou
What I will see and do around Romanou village: • Traditional, white-washed windmills• Homes of stone masonry• Holy Temple Gennisios of Christou Romanou village is home to a mere 500 people and…
Myrina
What I will see and do around city of Myrina : • Capital city of Limnos and primary harbor and port• Archeological site at Richa Nera• The medieval castle• Platonia deer…
Nea Koutali
What I will see and do around Nea Koutali village: • Refugee village• Maritime and Sponge Museum• Spectacular view of the Gulf of Moudro Established in 1926, Nea koutali village was founded…
Moudros
What I will see and do around Moudros village: • The largest naturally-protected harbor in all the Mediterranean• Played a significant role in the island's and region's history• Sanctuaries & Churches:…
Kontias
What I will see and do around Kontias village: • Gallery of Contemporary Balkan Art• Wildlife Refuge, in the Diapori-Fakos region• Newly-renovated white-washed windmills• For swimming; Evgati, Diapori and the peaceful…
Agios Ioannis beach
28-10-2012 Hits:6009 Western Limnos Beaches
Just 6 km from downtown Myrina, in the village of Kaspaka, is the long and far-reaching Agios Ioannis beach, where on the sea cliff stands a little, yet beautiful, church...
Myrina beach
The beach at Myrina, rightly named after the island's capital, is located along the western coastline and in the heart of the city. Myrina Beach carries with it an international…
Zemata
On the northern end of the island, along a gravel road and at a distance of 4 km from the village of Panagia, lies a gorgeous beach named Zemata that…
Plati beach
Also close to downtown Myrina, just a couple km away, is the popular beach in the village Plati. This inviting, sandy shoreline is a favorite with the locals and the…
Kotsinas beach
Nestled deep in the Gulf of Pournia rests a beach in the village of Kotsinas. Her shallow waters are ideal for family outings at the beach, as the children can…
Tourkikos Gialos
In the capital city of Myrina, you'll find 3 local beaches, one of which is called Tourkikos Gialos. Located in the heart of the city's two ports, it carries a…
Romeikos Gialos
If you are looking for a nice place to go swimming in the city of Myrina, you don't need to look further than Romeikos Gialos Beach. Set against the backdrop…
Makri Gialos
To the south of ancient Poliochnis, you'll come across Makri Gialos, which, as its name suggests, is among the most extensive on the island, stretching out for several kilometers. Looking…
Gomati
Next to the village of Katalakos, and at a distance of 20 km from the island's capital of Myrina, you will come face-to-face with one of the most beautiful sights…
Thanos beach
Along the southwestern coastline of Limnos, at a distance of a mere 4 km from the capital city Myrina, lies the beautiful beach of Thanos. Popular for its picturesque landscape…
Museum of Maritime tradition and sponge …
29-10-2012 Hits:5659 Limnos Museums
• Learn the secrets of sponge diving, stories told by the divers and learn of the beneficial qualities of natural sponges• View the original sponge diving suits and equipment, the...
Kaviria
• In honor of Kaviria, the children of legendary Hephaestus• The mysterious initiation rites and rituals of Kaviria• The oldest Telestirio Hall in all of Greece The discovery of Kaviria came…
Temple of Artemis in Myrina
At a distance of just 2 km from the capital Myrina, a temple was built in the 7th century B.C., dedicated to the Goddess Artemis.
Prehistoric Myrina
• From the 4th to 3rd millennium B.C. Myrina developed into an urban powerhouse• You'll find the ancient settlement in Richa Nera The first evidence of human existence in this area…
Folk Museum of Portianos
• Admire traditional period costumes and knitting tools• Experience what life was like during the time of their grandparents and ancestors Founded in 1995, the folk museum is housed in a…
Hephaestia
• Impressive and significant ancient city• Was first discovered during the 19th century• You can see the Greco-Roman amphitheater and the Sanctuary of Megalis Theas (Great Goddess)• Natural disaster completely…
Castle of Myrina
• Impressive view from atop the castle• Built in the early 12th century A.D.• The largest fortress in the Aegean, spanning some 144 acres• Has a polygonal plan (frontline walls)…
• Vast, expansive areas of sand dunes creating an awe-inspiring landscape• You'll swear you just landed in the desert• The most impressive of the sand dunes are called Gomati, in…
Panagia Kakaviotissa
• Here you will find the village of Thanos• Church built into the rock• A miraculous image• Exclusive and exceptional sightPanagia Kakaviotissa church, in the Vicinity of Myrina, is literally…
Faraklo
• Located after the village Propouli• One-of-a-kind geological monument and volcanic formation Faraklo is an important geological monument of exceptional, natural beauty, where the strange volcanic rock formations will astonish and…