Sigri

Sigri is a small coastal village on the western shore of the Greek island of Lesbos, in the North Aegean region. It lies along Sigri Bay and is part of the municipality of Western Lesbos. The village serves as the gateway to the Lesbos Petrified Forest, a prominent paleontological site located nearby.

The Lesbos Petrified Forest consists of fossilized tree trunks preserved in their original position, created by ancient volcanic activity and silica uptake. The fossils date from the late Eocene to early Miocene, roughly tens of millions of years old, making the site one of Europe’s most important fossil forest locations. The surrounding area is protected as a natural monument and is a focus for scientific study and ecotourism.

Near Sigri is the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest, established to present geology, paleobotany, and the forest’s fossilized specimens. The museum and the forest attract visitors for educational field trips, hiking, and nature-based tourism.

In addition to its paleontological significance, Sigri maintains a traditional Greek rural character. The local economy centers on agriculture, small-scale fishing, and tourism connected to the forest, the museum, and the nearby beaches. The landscape features olive groves, dry stone walls, and Mediterranean scrub, with access primarily by road to other towns on Lesbos.

Sigri’s combination of geological importance and natural scenery makes it a distinctive stop on a visit to Lesbos, contributing to the island’s scientific heritage and regional identity.