This location is #63 on our Best Travel Destinations In Greece & Greek Islands Map!
The Petrified Forest of Lesvos, located on the western side of Lesbos Island, Greece, is a remarkable geological site spanning approximately 37,000 acres. This ancient forest, formed around 20 million years ago, contains fossilized remains of subtropical trees preserved by intense volcanic activity during the Early Miocene epoch.
Among the notable finds is a massive petrified tree trunk measuring 64 feet in length, complete with roots, branches, and leaves, alongside approximately 150 fossilized logs. The forest is situated in an area enclosed by the villages of Eressos, Antissa, and Sigri, with isolated plant fossils also found in other parts of the island, such as Molyvos, Polichnitos, Plomari, and Akrasi. The largest standing petrified trunk, a conifer (Taxodioxylon albertense) and an ancestor of modern sequoias, reaches a height of 23 feet with a circumference of about 45 feet, making it the thickest known petrified tree globally.
The Petrified Forest is renowned for its exceptional preservation and scientific significance, offering a vivid snapshot of an Early Miocene subtropical ecosystem. Designated as a protected natural monument by the Greek State, it is part of the Lesvos Geopark, a UNESCO Global Geopark recognized in 2000 as one of Europe’s first geoparks. The forest’s vibrant fossilized trunks, displaying hues of red, yellow, green, and black, include species like sequoias, pines, oaks, cinnamon trees, and palms, providing critical insights into the paleofloral and climatic conditions of the time. The Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest, located in Sigri, enhances visitor understanding through exhibits, interactive displays, and guided tours across sites like Sigri Park, Bali Alonia Park, Plaka Park, and Nissiopi islet. These parks feature walking trails that allow exploration of the fossilized landscape, showcasing the forest’s geological and ecological wonders.
Historically, the Petrified Forest’s significance was first noted by the Greek philosopher Theophrastus (371–287 BC), who referenced the fossilization process, marking an early milestone in Earth sciences. Systematic scientific study began in 1844 with F. Unger’s descriptions, followed by extensive research and excavations by the Natural History Museum since 1997. The forest’s formation resulted from volcanic eruptions between 17 and 20 million years ago, which covered the area in lava and ash, petrifying trees in their original positions through a molecule-by-molecule substitution of organic material. This process preserved intricate details of trunks, roots, leaves, and seeds. The site’s international recognition grew with its inclusion in the International Union of Geological Sciences’ (IUGS) list of 100 geological heritage sites in October 2022, celebrated for hosting one of the world’s most complete Early Miocene forest ecosystem records. Its proposed status on UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites further underscores its global importance as a natural monument and a hub for geoeducation.