While not having roots as deep as olive oil production in Lesvos, the Krallis family can be found in Molyvos as early as the late seventeen hundreds. By the late nineteenth century they were part of a small circle of Greek and Turkish families involved in representing Molyvos to the Ottoman authorities and essentially running the village. The interesting blend of Greek identity with active participation in the Ottoman empires social and economic life can be seen in the folk art decorating the walls of the Krallis Mansion - currently in the stewardship of the Athens School of Arts - where images of Alexander the great stand opposed to whirling dervishes and depictions of Istanbul, the imperial center towards which Molyvos and more generally the Island of Lesvos were directed.



After the incorporation of the Island in the Greek state in 1912 the family retained its prominent position in the village. In the mid-1920s Ioannes Krallis, father of the current owner of Molyvos Manor, built the power generator for Molyvos electric lighting. The little electricity factory close to the harbor provided the village with electricity till the late 50s when Molyvos became part of Lesvos grid. Still, the second world war and family deaths led the Krallis family to Athens in the late 40s. Today Stratis and Nana spend six months a year in Molyvos and the rest of their time at their home in Athens. Their sons Dimitris and Yiannis live in Vancouver, BC and Athens.

Molyvos Manor is part (half) of a large home built in 1926 by Ioannes Krallis after his wedding to Maritsa Kalligeris to house their family.

The house was never truly lived-in since the premature death of Ioannes led Maritsa back to her family in the village of Sykamnia. In the years that followed it was occupied by the Germans (during WW II), the communist guerillas, the army, and earthquake victims.

Only in the mid-eighties was it divided among Ioannes’ two sons Stratis and Nikos, and renovated. Stratis and his family lived in it for roughly 7 summers until they moved to a newer house in the middle of an olive grove in the village environs.

Since 1994 the Stratis part of the house, now called Molyvos Manor, has seen numerous guests, many returning year after year, choosing this unique spot for their vacations.

Molyvos Manor is part (half) of a large home built in 1926 by Ioannes Krallis after his wedding to Maritsa Kalligeris to house their family. The house was never truly lived-in since the premature death of Ioannes led Maritsa back to her family in the village of Sykamnia. In the years that followed it was occupied by the Germans (during WW II), the communist guerillas, the army, and earthquake victims. Only in the mid-eighties was it divided among Ioannes two sons Stratis and Nikos, and renovated. Stratis and his family lived in it for roughly 7 summers until they moved to a newer house in the middle of an olive grove in the village environs. Since 1994 the house (Stratis part), now called Molyvos Manor, has seen numerous guests, many returning year after year, choosing this unique spot for their vacations.