Modern Description:
Around Mount Lepetymnos Less dramatic than the rock at Petra, but of the same vulcanological origin, is the stack to the south of the road at Stipsi, likewise surmounted by a 19th century church— here dedicated to Aghios Giorgios, and probably the last in a series of many antecedents on this site. The rural settlements of the southern slopes of Mount Lepetymnos along the road between Petra and Kapi, benefit from the mountain's abundant spring-water, and command views over an impressive expanse of olive groves, pine-woods and pasture which sweep gently down to the north shore of the gulf of Kalloni. From the southern end of the attractive village of Ypsilometopo a rough track descends 1.5km to the isolated ruins of the Early Christian basilica of Aghios Demetrios, surrounded by vestigial remains of a baptistery, baths and habitations. Remaining from the church itself are the three entrance thresholds and the stone paving of the floor of the nave, which is lined to both sides by a procession of broken columns in trachytic stone which have been re-erected on their original bases. The templon, which conserves its carved uprights, and the remnants of the mosaic floor (now covered) of the sanctuary, have been roofed over for protection. It is not uncommon for the sites of ancient rural shrines dedicated to Demeter, protectress of the harvest and of the productivity of rural areas, to have been converted into places of Christian cult dedicated to St Demetrius; this may explain the founding here of a substantial basilica church at such an isolated spot in the 6th century. (Paths, only intermittently signed, lead south from here to Ancient Klopedi and the Bridge at Kremastí in just over one hour.) Eighteen and a half kilometres from Petra the road rejoins the main east-coast road above Mandamados. A kilometre north of the junction is the steep, panoramic village of Klió, commanding the northeast corner and coast of the island. Towards the Bay of Tsónia below is a wooded hill with the remains of a fort, possibly the historic castle of Aghios Theodoros where Orsano Giustiniano encountered the Turks in 1464 in his abortive attempt to liberate the island from Ottoman rule.
Wikidata ID: Q117405972DARE: 41120
Info: McGilchrist's Greek Islands 
(From McGilchrist’s Greek Islands, © Nigel McGilchrist 2010, excerpted with his gracious permission. Click for the books)
