The Deal with the Pythagorean Cup and Manolates Mountain Village in Samos, Greece

There are three picturesque mountain villages in Samos and these are Ampelos, Vourliotes and Manolates. I would have loved to visit all of them but travelling with the Dutchman is always an ongoing compromise. He doesn’t like these kinds of -- according to him dead villages excursions, so going to one mountain village is already a big concession. You can’t win them all I guess but at least I get to score one =)

Manolates Mountain Village

So Manolates was really a random choice. I had no idea what to expect other than it should be a picturesque little village on a mountain top.

The drive to Manolates is not an easy one though, it is a zigzagged drive through the Valley of the Nightingales (because there are many nightingales here) and a forest. And when you reach the top you will catch sight of lush vineyard farms decorating the mountains and gulches. Further beyond the greenery is the deep blue colour of the Turkish coast.

Manolates is a car-free mountain village and parking is located at the entrance of the village. Lots of stairs and narrow pathways, there is only one way to explore this place and that is on foot. There are less than two hundred people living here and I noticed that a sizable number of residents are already in their twilight years. The main road and its direct side streets are filled with a chock-full of artisan craft shops and many of them were selling the Pythagorean cup. I was quite tempted to buy a set to replace a few mugs at home but since this is a touristy place I was pretty much turned off at the high prices they were asking.

Here is the route we took:

You can move the map with your mouse, as well as zoom it in and zoom it out by clicking on the + and - signs on the lower right hand side corner.

Looks like Germans are popular buyers here.

It was a scorching hot day and I forgot to bring my wide-brimmed hat.

Many old people live here which is the case in small mountain villages. The younger generation escape to the city.

The German tourist in the picture thought I was Greek or I lived here (do I even look like one?) so he asked me if I know where the cafes are. I just arrived town so I have no idea and told him I am not from there. But he kept talking asking me more questions about the village. So I said, I AM A TOURIST JUST LIKE YOU, lol.  

This is the main alley of Manolates where everything happens.

There are several bars - cafe - restaurants here and some have lovely views of the surroundings.

It was very hot. Need something chilled to drink =). I am giving half to the Dutchman who is waiting for me at the parking area.

The Pythagorean Cup

Trivia: Did you know that the Pythagorean cup is also called the Greedy cup?

I am all for supporting the local economy and artists (although a number of the artisan shops business owners were foreigners who moved here) but I think 10 euros is too expensive.

The trick is the cup has a parallel linear column inside that follows through a hole at the bottom. In essence, it will only allow you to fill the cup up to a certain level before it overflows and spill the fluid at the bottom. Which is the reason why it is called the ‘greedy cup’ because if you fill in more than you will need, you will lose it anyway.

One devious cup is it not? Or perhaps this is a great excuse for those who are on a fluid diet, if that ever exists.

This is how it works:

A cross-section of the Pythagorean cup or Pythagora's cup.

Pythagoras by the way was born in Samos, Greece. There is a statue commemorated to him in Pythagorion (Pythagoreio) on the harbour, go here: Do you still remember Pythagoras?

Here are a few more panoramic views of the surroundings, the lush mountains, the vineyard farms and the Turkish coast from Manolates village:

Samos produces its own wine. I like the Samos sweet white wine as a digestif.

The views are refreshing and breath taking and I am glad we passed by here.

Travel Period: June-July 2013
Destination: Manolates (Vathy - Samos Island), Greece

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