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Fossil hunting in Greece
On western Lesvos, Early Miocene trunks still stand where they grew, turned to silica by volcanic ash and groundwater. The petrified forest covers a large area of the island, and one 10 euro museum ticket also admits you to the forest parks on land.
The Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest sits in the village of Sigri, about 90 kilometers from Mytilene. It was founded in 1994 and is a founding member of the European Geoparks Network. General admission is 10 euros and covers the Petrified Forest parks, with the exception of the Nissiopi Marine Park.
Standing silicified trunks are the reason to go. Ash from Miocene volcanism buried a subtropical forest, and silica replaced the wood cell by cell, which is why growth rings survive. The trees stay in the ground, so this is a site to walk and photograph.
1 fossil site
Updated 11 September 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How much does the Lesvos Petrified Forest cost?
- General admission to the museum in Sigri is 10 euros, and the ticket covers the Petrified Forest parks on land. Nissiopi Marine Park needs a separate 15 euro boat ticket.
- Can you take petrified wood from Lesvos?
- No. The forest is a protected natural monument and a UNESCO Global Geopark. The trunks stay where they are.