Temple of Hera. Samos island, Greece. Credit: Greek Reporter
Spatharaioi, a village on Greece’s island of Samos, is known for its residents’ remarkable longevity, with historical records from the 19th century reporting some living as long as 145 years.
Perched atop Bournias Mount at 582 meters (about 1,910 ft), Spatharaioi offers panoramic views of the Aegean, including the Fournoi islands to the northeast, Ikaria just across the sea, and Patmos to the southeast. It’s no wonder locals call the village the “Balcony to the Aegean.”
The charming Samos village is also known for its picturesque square, shaded by a jasmine tree and a centuries-old plane tree. The imposing Holy Church of the Archangels, located right next to the square, serves as the heart of village life.
Yet the village’s most remarkable feature is its secret to longevity, which is no secret to the residents themselves. Surrounded by olive groves producing exceptional olive oil, Spatharaioi is a place of serenity in the midst of the Aegean blue—a place where locals enjoy long, healthy lives.
Many villagers are over 90 years old
“At the moment, the population is about two hundred. We have many elderly residents over 90 years old,” teacher Stavros Mourtou tells Greek Reporter. “We believe this is largely due to the local dietary habits.”
Locals follow the principles that have made the Mediterranean diet famous for promoting good health. “Most people in the village speak of the excellent quality of the local olive oil, the wine, and the goat milk,” Mourtou continues. “It’s also the lifestyle—the pace of life here is very relaxed. Perhaps we have even been influenced by Ikaria, which is just across from us.”
Indeed, Ikaria is known for the longevity of its inhabitants, thanks to a strict Mediterranean diet, regular walking, and a slow, relaxed pace of daily life. US longevity expert and New York Times bestselling author Dan Buettner notes that dementia is nearly nonexistent among Ikaria’s residents, and he highlights two drinks that may help them stay sharp: herbal tea and coffee.
Spatharaioi resident Paraskevo Georgiadi is 100 years old and happy to have lived in the village all her life. Photo credit: Greek Reporter
The secret of longevity is no secret in Greece’s village where many live past one hundred
Across from Ikaria, in the village of Spatharaioi on Samos, Paraskevo Georgiadi, who is one hundred years old herself, happily shares that she walks as much as her feet can carry her. Every day, she walks to see her son and grandchildren, eats plenty of vegetables, and even walks to the sea and back. “I was born here, lived here, got married here, had a child here,” she says simply—her life summed up in her own words.
Kranio Giavasi, 91, is another typical village resident with a long story. She explains that her father came from Turkey, which is unsurprising given the region’s proximity and historical context. A traditional woman devoted to her family, she proudly says, “I have two children, seven grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.”
Mrs. Giavasi sits in her yard with her friend, Mrs. Maria, embroidering and sharing stories about their lives. Mrs. Maria, 92, has had a more adventurous life. Born in 1933, she recalls that her family lived through three wars. “After the war, we went to Germany because we didn’t even have food to eat,” she says. “We lived there for eleven years and then returned. After that, life was good—more than good.”
Krinio Giavasi, 91, (left) and her friens Mrs. Maria (92) embroider place mats in their yard. Life is easy in the village of Spatharaoi on Samos. Photo credit: Greek Reporter
Mr. Mourtou sits in the village square next to the Holy Church of the Archangels, which he says was built around 1500. He shares stories of the village’s history and the remarkable longevity records of some residents.
“Community records say that one Grammatiki Chrysafenou died in 1826 at age 135,” he says. “There is also Nikolaos Krasomouros, who passed away at age 145 in 1867. Rumors of a Mrs. Marika living to 160 are not confirmed by the community archives.”
Spatharaioi is a hidden gem on Samos, the historic island that gave rise to some of Greece’s most famous figures, including Pythagoras, the storyteller Aesop, Epicurus and Aristarchus.