Molyvos is a town located at the northeastern tip of the island of Lesvos, in one of the most stand out areas of the Mediterranean Sea. A homeric land, in antiquity and until Byzantine times, the town was called Mithymna and was the second largest town on the island. Its rich history is reflected in the traditional, listed settlement, where folk wisdom and architecture shine through the dazzling shades of wood and stone. Cobbled alleys, stone houses and mansions, inner courtyards with jasmine and bougainvillea, galleries, public fountains, the traditional market, the picturesque port, and the Byzantine castle put together a landscape of unparalleled beauty, exuding both its culture and its many influences.
It is here, on the south-eastern tip of Europe, in the friendly and hospitable town of Molyvos, that the Festival was born. A place where the sense of freedom and the desire to be creative come together, highlighting the redemptive power of music and the value of the osmosis of people and cultures.
The Byzantine Castle of Molyvos was built on the top of the hill on the ruins of ancient walls. Its location was of strategic importance, ensuring control of the narrow passage to Asia Minor and the Gulf of Adramyttium. Nowadays, it is considered one of the best-preserved castles in the Eastern Mediterranean and is the ideal location for organizing cultural events.
