To the shrines of Greece

The monasteries and temples of Greece are religion, culture, history of the country.

Medieval Greek monasteries and temples attract not only pilgrims, but also travelers who want to get acquainted with the culture and history of Greece. Each monastery and temple has its own history and individuality.

The tour includes a visit to three medieval monasteries. On our route, the first will be the Medieval Monastery-Fortress of the Assumption of the Virgin. The monastery is the oldest in the region of Elijah, the origins of its existence go back, as the monks themselves say, to at least the VII century. Currently, it is a women's monastery, which serves as the parish temple of the village.

From the first minute of visiting the monastery, a special atmosphere of peace and tranquility is felt. Walking through the cozy monastery courtyard, you will get acquainted with the history of its origin and role in the history of Greece, learn what the legend says about the wonderful icon of the Most Holy Mother of God in honor of which the monastery and the village in which it is located were named. In the porch of the church to your attention will appear centuries-old frescoes well preserved to this day. Inside the church has decoration in the Byzantine style.

The monastery fortress has western architecture and is unique in its kind in that it is located on the territory of a Greek monastery. There is no such architectural complex in any other Greek monastery.

In the church you can order a prayer service and put candles (free of charge). In the souvenir kiosk at the monastery, you will find icons, incense, church oil, honey, products and souvenirs of Orthodox themes made by monks.

Continuing our journey, we will go to another Medieval convent, where miracles were performed in our time, which is also dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin.

Entering the territory of the monastery, you will plunge into the atmosphere of beauty and peace, pass to the first Christian church “hidden” in the rock, in which the miraculous icon of the Virgin was found more than 800 years ago, visit the main temple located in the rock, at an altitude of 334 m, which has undergone many disasters during its existence - an earthquake, landslides, fire, but was restored and will appear before you as if suspended on a rock.

You will touch the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Mother of God. In the monastery, you will be greeted by friendly nuns, treated to lukum, which is made by themselves.

From the monastery stretches an amazingly beautiful view of the entire area of Elijah, the mountain slopes and valleys, which you can admire for hours. Thousands of Christians come annually to the monastery to venerate the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, miraculously preserved after a strong earthquake and the destruction of the church. In the church, you can order a prayer service and put candles (free of charge), and in the souvenir kiosk you can buy icons, incense, church oil and Orthodox souvenirs made by the monks of St. Athos and other monasteries.

The next monastery on our trip is dedicated to St. Nicholas, located at an altitude of 219 meters above sea level and immersed in the lush greenery of the mixed forest.

The time of its foundation is presumably at the beginning of the XIV century. The monastery is surrounded by a large two-storey building where cells are located. In the center is the cathedral of the monastery, built in the architectural style of the Basilica. After its severe destruction due to an earthquake in 1993, the building was restored and a large Byzantine-style temple was built.

It is currently a convent for women. At the monastery there is a shop with Orthodox literature, icons and souvenirs of Orthodox themes.

Throughout the tour you will admire the picturesque nature, which is rich in the entire region of Ilia.

For visiting monasteries, it is advisable for women to have a scarf with them to cover their shoulders. Women in trousers and men in shorts are forbidden to enter the church at the monastery. If necessary, the monasteries provide skirts, scarves and men's trousers.

• Russian-speaking licensed guide services
• transfer with a professional driver
• insurance
• headphones