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| Spatharaio Village
Five km from Pyrgos on the road that connects it with Pagondas and on the west slopes of Karvounis mountain you'll find the village of Spatharaioi, one of the highest altitude ones on the island. The name could be deriving from one of its first residents, a priest named Spathas who was the father of 18 children as Ep. Stamatiades conveys us. However Nik. Dimitriou disagrees mentioning that the name derives from the Euboean village named Spathari.
Most of the inhabitants are farmers producing mainly olive oil. The village's production was severely damaged during the last forest fire. The view from the village is excellent; you can see the Dodecanese, Fournoi and Ikaria, Kerkis Mountain and all the coastline of Marathokanbos.
The settlements of Zephyrus with 32 residents, Apostle Pavlos with 17, Vergi with 23, Kalogeriko with 5, Kyrgianni with 36, Limnionaki with 26, Metochi with 4, Sykia with 17 and the small island of Samiopoula with 5 residents all belond to Spaharaioi. Almost all of these settlements are based on tourism and have been built during the last 20 years. |
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Skoureika Village
On an altitude of 180 meters and 9 km southeast of Koumeika you will find the village of Skoureika. Most probably the name derives from the surname of the first villager to inhabit this area (George Skouras) but another explanation is that the first settlers came from the Euboean village named Skoura as N. Dimitriou suggests in his book "Samian Folklore". |
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| The inhabitants are mostly farmers producing olive oil in the majority. To the southwest of the village are the settlements of Kampos with 7 residents, Perri with 28 and Pefkos with 17 that belong to the village of Skoureika. All these settlements are near small but scenery beaches. |
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| Koumeika Village
This village is located 13 km southeast of Marathokambos. Quite recently (in 2001) a new road has been laid that is scientifically shorter and this road begins from Ormos settlement. The village is not far from the sea but it is hidden behind a hill so it's not visible by the sea.
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This is a typical precaution of the early settlers who didn't want their houses to be visible by the pirates at sea. According to Ep. Stamatiades and Em. Kriticides, the name derives from the first settlers who came from Kimi in the island of Eboea. Another explanation is that the name derives from the surname of "Koumas" which is common in the neighboring village of Spathareoi, as N. Dimitriou supports in his book "Samian folklore".
The residents are occupied in agriculture, producing mainly olive oil and onions. In earlier days there were also many sailors. Two km to the south is "Ballos", a beach with many country houses, rooms for rent, tavernas etc. Two settlements belong to Koumeika, Ballos with 22 residents and Velanidia with 8. |
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Platanos Village
Following to the south the road that leads to Konteika and after 3 km, the beautiful village of Platanos is located, surrounded by forests and vineyards. It's named after the great plane trees that spring in it's main square (Platanos = Plane tree in Greek). It has an excellent view to the west and south; you can see the mountain Kerkis and the
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| villages on it, the southwest seacoast of Samos, Fourni and many islands of the Dodecanese. It was built in the beginning of the 17th century from settlers from the island of Eboea. |
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| The residents are occupied in agriculture and especially in vineyards. The road continues to the west with many turns and after 4 km it meets the road that leads to Pythagorion and then Samos town on the 9th km from Karlovassi or 41st from Samos town. In the village you'll find a beautiful square with traditional cafes and restaurants in the midst of plane trees and a spring with plenty of fresh water. |
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Agioi Theodori Village
It is located at a short distance northwest of Platanos and it's one of the smallest villages in the island. In the old days it was named Kaveseika, from the name of the first inhabitant, Dimitrios Kavesis, who came here from Platanos, but later on the name of the village church prevailed. |
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| It is almost invisible, located in a ravine and surrounded by forests, vineyards and gardens next to the peripheral road Karlovassi - Pythagorion - Samos town close to the 7th km from Karlovassi. The residents are occupied in agriculture and especially vineyards while earlier they were also cultivating tobacco. |
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| Konteika Village
It is located seven km south west of Karlovasi and a bit to the south of Ydrousa. The name derives from the first person that moved to the area, a shepherd by the name of Konstantinos Kontos from the village of Platanos. He settled in the area in 1750. It is surrounded by green hills and it's invisible from the sea. The residents are occupied in agriculture and especially olives and vines while earlier they were also cultivating tobacco. |
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| Kallithea Village
Continuing on the same road, 24 km after passing Marathokambos, you will find the village of Kallithea. It was earlier called Prinias (brier tree) because of the many such bushes that were growing in the area. Joined with the village of Drakei they formed the municipality of Kalabachtasi but later on they were separated in two villages. |
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| The name Kalabachtasi has Turkish origins and means in Turkish "sentry post". There are also some more interpretations on the origin of this toponym that mention that it might derive from the surname of one of the first inhabitants etc. The village was named Kallithea in the 1930's. It's located in the northwest end of the island and it's the westernmost village of the island. The view from here stretches towards Ikaria, the Ikarian sea and Chios Island and you can enjoy a spectacular sunset.
Most of the inhabitants are occupied in agriculture, almost exclusively cultivating olive trees and they also keep livestock. It earlier days they were also producing charcoal. From Kallithea, as well as from Drakeei, you can follow dirt roads that lead to the beach at the settlement called St. Isidoros. There's a natural anchorage and this is the place where the last active boatyard of the island is located. Another dirt road leads up the mountain to an area called �Askitaria� (place where hermits once lived). There are many chapels in the area and some of them are inside caves. The place is woody and with a nice view. |
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