Moni Osios Loukas

Introducing Moni Osios Loukas

The Moni Osios Loukas (Monastery of St Luke; 22670 22797; admission €3; 8am-7pm, closed 2-4pm Easter–mid-Sep) is 8km east of the village of Distomo, which lies 3km south of the Athens–Delphi road. Its principal church contains some of Greece’s finest Byzantine frescoes. Modest dress is required (no shorts).

The monastery is dedicated to a local hermit who was canonised for his healing and prophetic powers. The monastic complex includes two churches. The interior of Agios Loukas, the main one, is a glorious symphony of marble and mosaics. There are also icons by Michael Damaskinos, the 16th-century Cretan painter.

In the main body of the church, the light is partially blocked by the ornate marble window decorations, creating striking contrasts of light and shade. Walk around the corner to find several fine frescoes which brighten up the crypt where St Luke is buried.

Nearby, the smaller Agia Panagia (Church of the Virgin Mary), built in the 10th century, has a colourful but less impressive interior as none of its original frescoes have survived.

This World Heritage–listed monastery is in an idyllic setting, with breathtaking vistas from its terrace, where Café Bar Yannis (22670 21255) sells local sweets and serves good coffee – just in case you’re one of those people who can’t go anywhere outside hissing distance of an espresso machine.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009