Religious, Spiritual sights in Greece
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Meteora
The monasteries of Meteora are one of the most extraordinary sights in mainland Greece. Built into and on top of huge pinnacles of smooth rock, the earliest monasteries were reached by climbing articulated removable ladders. Later, windlasses were used so monks could be hauled up in nets, a method used until the 1920s.
The monasteries provided monks with peaceful havens from increasing bloodshed as the Byzantine Empire waned at the end of the 14th century.
Apprehensive visitors enquiring how often the ropes were replaced were told 'When the Lord lets them break'. These days access to the monasteries is by steps hewn into the rocks and the windlasses are used only for haul…
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Moni Hozoviotissis
Amorgos is defined by the iconic Moni Hozoviotissis, a dazzling white building embedded in an awesome cliff face high above the sea. It lies on the precipitous east coast below Hora. A few monks still live here and short tours, which usually end with a pleasant chat with one of the monks, take place sporadically, usually when a reasonable number of visitors have gathered at the door of the monastery. The tour is free but donations are appreciated.
The monastery contains a miraculous icon that was found in the sea below the cliff. It got there (allegedly unaided) from Asia Minor, Cyprus or Jerusalem - depending on which legend you're told. Out of respect, modest dress is e…
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Moni Osios Loukas
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 le…
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Temple of Hephaestus
The Temple of Hephaestus on the western edge of the Agora was surrounded by foundries and metalwork shops, and was dedicated to Hephaestus, god of the forge. It was one of the first buildings of Pericles' rebuilding programme and is the best preserved Doric temple in Greece. Built in 449 BC by Ictinus, one of the architects of the Parthenon, it has 34 columns and a frieze on the eastern side depicting nine of the Twelve Labours of Heracles.
In AD 1300 it was converted into the Church of Agios Georgios. The last service held here was on 13 December 1834 in honour of King Otho's arrival in Athens.
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Church of Agia Sofia
The 8th-century Church of Agia Sofia , a not-so-small miniature of its namesake in İstanbul, occupies Plateia Agias Sofias south of Egnatia. The dome has a striking mosaic of the Ascension of Christ.
Also see the restored, 5th-century Church of the Panagia Ahiropiitos, which has an early basilica form; some mosaics and frescoes remain. The name, meaning 'made without hands', refers to the miraculous 12th-century appearance of an icon of the Virgin.
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Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios
To the northeast of the Temple of Hephaestus are the foundations of the Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios, one of the places where Socrates expounded his philosophy. Further north are the foundations of the Stoa of Basileios and the Stoa Poikile (Painted Stoa), both currently inaccessible to the public. The Stoa Poikile was so-called because of its murals, which were painted by the leading artists of the day and depicted mythological and historical battles.
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Cathedral of Agia Triada
Lovely Lefkes clings to a natural amphitheatre amid hills whose summits are dotted with old windmills. Siesta is taken seriously here, and the village has a general air of serenity. It lies 9km southeast of Parikia, high among the hills, and was capital of Paros during the Middle Ages. The village's main attractions are its pristine alleyways and buildings. The Cathedral of Agia Triada is an impressive building that's shaded by olive trees.
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Temple of Athena Nike
The exquisitely proportioned little Temple of Athena Nike once stood on a platform perched atop the steep southwest edge of the Acropolis, to the right of the Propylaia. It may well be there by the time you read this, but the temple was dismantled piece by piece in 2003 in a controversial move to restore it off-site. It was supposed to be back in time for the Olympics, but only parts had reappeared at the time of research.
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Church of Agios Eleftherios
The 12th-century Church of Agios Eleftherios is considered one of the city's finest. It is built partly of Pentelic marble and decorated with an external frieze of symbolic beasts in bas relief. It was originally dedicated to the Panagia Gorgoepikoos (Virgin swift to answer prayers) and was once the city's cathedral, but now stands in the shadows of the much larger new cathedral.
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Acropolis Taverna
If you're driving to Polyrrinia, take the perimeter road at the turn off for the Acropolis Taverna which has lovely views. Behind the taverna there is a path to the left about 100m before the Agios Pateras church which leads to the acropolis. You can do a full circuit around the hill to take in the views but the path can be overgrown.
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Church of Agios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris
West of the Acropolis, on Filopappou Hill is the Church of Agios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris containing some fine frescoes. There are small paths all over the hill, but the paved path to the top starts near the periptero (street kiosk) on Dionysiou Areopagitou will get you there - after 250m, the path passes the church.
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Church of the Virgin
From Pounta Sq and the bus turnaround in Hora, a steep, zigzagging path leads up to the large, whitewashed Church of the Virgin (aka Panagia), which sits perched on a dramatic clifftop above the town. The climb to this single-aisled, multi-domed basilica is rewarded with a spectacular view over Hora and the entire island.
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Church of the Holy Apostles
The charming Church of the Holy Apostles, which stands near the southern entrance, was built in the early 10th century to commemorate St Paul's teaching in the Agora. Between 1954 and 1957 it was stripped of its 19th-century additions and restored to its original form. It contains some fine Byzantine frescoes.
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Church of Osios David
Just down from the Monastary of Vlatadon is the little 5th-century Church of Osios David , allegedly built to commemorate the secret baptism of Galerius' daughter, Theodora, while father was away. It contains well-preserved mosaics and rare 12th-century frescoes depicting the baptism of Christ.
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Moni Kalamiotissas
Anafi's main sight is the monastery of Moni Kalamiotissas a 6km walk from Hora in the extreme east of the island, near the meagre remains of a sanctuary to Apollo. At 470m, Monastery Rock is the highest rock formation in the Mediterranean Sea, outstripping even Gibraltar.
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Church of Agios Therapon
The bulbous dome of the Church of Agios Therapon crowns Mytilini's skyline, and is visible from almost everywhere on the waterfront. The church's ornate interior boasts a huge chandelier, an intricately carved iconostasis, priest's throne and a frescoed dome.
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Chapel of Agios Giorgios
On the summit of Lykavittos Hill is the little Chapel of Agios Giorgios, which is floodlit at night and looks like a vision from a fairy tale from the streets below. The open-air Lykavittos Theatre, northeast of the summit, is used for concerts in summer.
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Moni Metamorfosis
The little 13th-century Moni Metamorfosis stands amid olive groves and cypress trees, 7km inland from Galaxidi. From this vantage point there are terrific views down to the Gulf of Corinth. To reach it, go under the flyover and take the road opposite.
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Koursoun Tzami
The Koursoun Tzami was built in the 16th century by Sinan Pasha, the same architect who built the Blue Mosque in İstanbul. The mosque was restored in the mid-1990s with EU funding. From the bus station head south and follow the river for 300m.
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Moni Zoödohou Pigis
On the northern side of Kastro, the land falls sharply to the sea and the shells of old windmills punctuate the cliff edge. A flight of whitewashed steps leads up to the once-fortified church of Moni Zoödohou Pigis above the town.
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Chapel of Profitis Ilias
The old Turkish quarter of Varousi is a fascinating area of narrow streets and fine old houses with overhanging balconies. About 200m up the hill from Varousi, you'll find the Chapel of Profitis Ilias.
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Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
The seventh-century cathedral, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary , is a three-aisle basilica with frescoes that date back to the 14th century.
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Church of Sotira Lykodimou
The unique 11th-century Church of Sotira Lykodimou, now the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, is the only octagonal Byzantine church and has an imposing dome.
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Basilica of Agia Sophia
Follow a turn-off for 500m to the remains of the 5th-century Basilica of Agia Sophia, where two chapels stand amid mosaic fragments and columns.
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Church of Agios Nikolaos
The carved-wood iconostasis in the Church of Agios Nikolaos is one of Greece's finest. Follow the English signs for the museums and church.
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