We are proud to announce the participation of Lesvos Island at ITB Berlin 2026, one of the world’s leading international tourism exhibitions, representing the Global Geoparks Network and showcasing its outstanding geological heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant local culture to a global audience.
The Lesvos Island UNESCO Global Geopark (Greece) is located in Northeastern Aegean sea close to the coast of Asia Minor with an area of 1.636 km2 and 370 km of coastline is the third largest Greek island, and the seventh largest in the Mediterranean. At the western part of the island there is an outstanding natural monument, the Lesvos petrified forest created due to massive volcanic eruptions during Lower Miocene.
Lesvos belongs to the Pelagonian geotectonic zone of Greece which represents fragments of the Cimmerian Continent. Τhe geological structure of Lesvos Island UNESCO Global Geopark is composed of the Metamorphic basement, the nappe of the ophiolitic sequence, the Miocene postalpine volcanics, the Neogene marine and lacustrine deposits.
The Lesvos Island UNESCO Global Geopark features rare and impressive fossilised tree-trunks. Formed some 16 to 20 million years ago, due to intense volcanic activity, the trees were covered by lava, ashes and other materials that were spewed into the atmosphere. Heavy rainfalls soon followed and saturated the ashes, thus creating huge mudflows of pyroclastic material.
These flows moved from east to west with considerable speed and engulfed the trees that covered the western part of Lesvos at that time. Today some of the trunks can still be seen in their upright position with intact roots of up to seven metres, while others are found in a fallen position measuring up to 20 metres. The forest comprised enormous trees similar to those of the Sequoia family found today in North America - as well as pines, oaks, conifers and cinnamon trees. The fossilised trunks have retained fine details of their bark and their interior reveals a great variety of colours. Not only ancient trees were fossilised but an entire ecosystem as well. Branches, fruits and leaves have also been preserved. The Greek state recognised the major environmental, geological and palaeontological value of the area and declared the Petrified Forest to be a preserved Natural Monument (Presidential Decree 443/85).
Moreover, in the area of Lesvos Island UNESCO Global Geopark there are findings of Deinothere (Prodeinotherium bavaricum, the oldest known species in Europe, 19 million years) and more than40 other species of micromammals, reptiles and fish of lower Miocene. Impressive mammal fossils sites lie on the south and eastern coast of Lesvos with an age of 2 – 1 million years ago.
Lesvos is strewn with significant geological monuments and landforms, important witnesses to the Aegean basin’s geological history during the last 300 my, such as volcanoes, hot springs, impressive tectonic structures and active faults, waterfalls and coastal geosites.
Visitors can participate in various ecotouristic activities, unique, educational programs, marine and agrotouristic events, cultural festivals, as well as enjoy hiking, through a unique natural environment once walked by Aristotle and Theophrastus, cycling, sailing, surfing, guided boat trips, diving, climbing and a variety of activities to discover hidden natural treasures.
Through its presence at ITB Berlin, Lesvos Island strengthens its commitment to sustainable tourism, education, and community development, while connecting with partners from around the world.
