MUNICIPALITY of POLICHNITOS
Stavros

It is the smallest of all villages surrounding Polichnitos. In earlier days it was also called Vourkos (mire) because this was the name of the river separating the two villages of Stauros, the Upper and the Lower. The village is built in the midst of the verdurous valley of the river Vourkos. There are three churches: St. Bartholomiou, St. Paraskevi (Friday) and St. Therapondas (Healer). Some time ago it had a population of 800 people. Today though, after the migrating wave to Australia in the 1950’s and 1960’s as well as the relocation of a great number of people to big urban centers, such as Athens and Mitylene, in quest of work, there are only 100 people left in both settlements. During summertime this number increases since most of the locals who live in other places (Australia, Athens, Mitylene) return temporarily to visit their homeland. 

The village is built deep in the valley and not close to the coast perhaps out of the fear of pirates in earlier days. As it is mentioned before, it took its name after the river flowing in the area and the stagnant waters that used to be there in older times. However, there’s evidence of a much older name. It is said that it was called “SYKIES”(Fig trees).
 Nearby the village there is a site named “ STAVRIA” and it is also connected with the recent name and history of the village. There have also been found broken bricks, tiles and vessels that manifest the existence of a medieval settlement in the area. Another element proving the existence of a settlement in the area is the church of St. George. Although it has been renovated, there’s evidence that it was built onto the foundation of another, much older church. Today visitors can see there a capital, a column and a pedestal. Thick try-pots with bones have been excavated at “Macros” site, at the opening up of a rural road, showing that the area was a cemetery during the early Copper Age - a rare finding for Northeastern Aegean. Another location certifying the existence of a settlement and its habitation since antiquity is the plateau of “ROGADA’. There is a rough rampart called “KASTRI”(little castle) at the edge of rocky cliff. The people of Rogada who lit fires to warn the citizens of other areas of forthcoming danger used this tower. Nearby Kastri there are two churches built upon the ruins of an older temple and several graves.

Today people at Stavros live quietly working in the fields and breeding animals. They are famous for their roupades (a local kind of olives), skim-milk cheese, oil cheese, frumenty, fresh vegetables without fertilizers and mushrooms found under pine trees (pefkites). Hospitality is the main feature of the people of Stavros. Nestled in green with its gardens full of flowers awaits for travelers to visit it and relax in one of its five traditional cafes while drinking coffee or enjoying a meal under the shadow of perennial plane trees. 

It is worth visiting the church of St. Paraskevi that after the arson of 2003 was renovated and it has become the jewel of the area. Stavros and the surrounding area are full of routes of extreme natural beauty: St.Faneromeny, St. Marina and St.George’s gorges or the panoramic view from St. Helias, which you can visit either on foot or by car. 
Every summer on 2nd July there is the fair of St. Therapon and in August there is an annual feast unique for its liveliness and merriment.
It is worth the while for holidaymakers from Vatera to visit this verdurous little village with the warmhearted and hospitable people. 

Panagiotis Palaiologos, Chairman of the Cultural Club of Stavros