Leros: Greek island's Italian rationalist architecture and cultural revival

Leros, a Dodecanese island near Turkey, is gaining attention for its Italian rationalist architecture and cultural initiatives. The port town of Lakki, built during Mussolini's occupation (1912-1943), features geometric buildings by architects Rodolfo Petracco and Armando Bernabiti, influenced by Giorgio de Chirico. In 2023, Istanbul-based Perasma foundation launched the Leros Project, a summer exhibition at historic venues (on hiatus in 2025). Mylos by the Sea, a seafood restaurant run by brothers Yorgos and Marios Koutsounaris since 2012, has become a culinary destination. The Monk, a guesthouse opened June 2024 by Prodromos Toufexis and Ioannis Zacharakis (A+ Architects), features a cobalt façade and contemporary-antique furnishings with works by Greek artists. The island also has 18th-century stone windmills, some restored as hotels.