LEROS, Greece/MUGLA, Türkiye Leros, one of the Greek islands hugging the shore of modern Türkiye, known as Ileriye, or Ileryoz, during four centuries of Ottoman rule (1522 - 1912), is mostly known as a tranquil getaway. But it also bears the haunting scars of one of the world’s darkest eras -- World War II. The island, located 317 kilometers (197 miles) from Athens' port of Piraeus and 32 kilometers from Didim in Türkiye's coastal province of Aydin, spans 53 square kilometers (20.
5 square miles), with a population of around 10,000. Since it was included in Greece's gate visa program for Turkish nationals, Leros has become a popular holiday destination for Turkish tourists, accessible by ferry from Bodrum in about an hour. Despite not being widely recognized in the past, residents strive to gain more from tourism.
Agriculture and fishing are also significant livelihoods on the island, surrounded by vineyards and olive trees. Grim face of war exhibited in island's museum While Leros has gained recognition in recent years for its tranquility, it also bears the haunting scars of World War II. As part of the Dodecanese Islands, Leros surprises visitors with traces of conflict.
The remnants of wartime bombardments, which killed hundreds, are preserved in the Lakki War Museum in the coastal village of Alinda, where intense battles occurred. The museum portrays the bloody conflicts among the factions during the war -- German, Italian, and British forces – along with the str.
