They are stately, they are beautiful, they have unique stories to tell and they are one of the best reasons to book ferry tickets to these four islands! We present to you…
Panagia Chozoviotissa
Amorgos
Built on a cliff and having become one with the rock, the monastery of Panagia Chozoviotissa has been standing strong at 300 meters from the sea since it was founded in 1088. The inhabitants of Amorgos remember when monks during the years of iconoclasm wanted to protect the icon of the Virgin Mary by putting it in a boat, which travelled from the location “Hoziva” or “Koziva” in the Holy Land to the homonymous beach of the island.
The view of the all-white building as you ascend the long and wide stairs that seem endless, will definitely give you goose bumps. In the courtyard you will find plenty of space and shade to rest, until you enter, climb the stairs and end up in a narrow room with a unique view, where you can enjoy a loukoumaki, a liqueur or coffee and a cool glass of water.
Saint Simeon
Kea
Hidden on the southeastern side of Kea (Tzia), is the church and the settlement of Agios Simeon. You won’t find a simple church here. You will find a place that will take you to the traditional, island, hospitable Greece. Awe, beauty, authenticity.
Built exactly where the sanctuary of the goddess Aphrodite used to be, the temple has kept the beauty of the goddess, with marbles from her ancient temple and a view that is unforgettable. From its courtyard, you can catch a glimpse of Kythnos and Serifos, which can be seen on the horizon, while every1st of September you can live like a local at the festival of “Agios Simios”, the biggest festival of the island. Before you leave, don’t forget to try the pies with greens from the settlement, the cheeses, the red wine, the handmade bread and the steaming, freshly baked galaktobureko.
Virgin Mary of the Dormition
Folegandros
It was May Day of 1790 when 18 ships with Algerian pirates, the toughest pirates of the time, appeared in Folegandros. The inhabitants of the island, frightened, ran to the church to protect themselves and prayed to be saved, holding up the icon of the Virgin Mary.
Suddenly, a strong north wind blew, which made the sea wild and wiped out all the pirates, except for one Christian. The pirate came ashore and in a husky, hoarse voice revealed to the frightened inhabitants that the rock they were hiding on had sent a bolt of lightning striking the ships. The magic of history, combined with the view, the white colour and the nobility of the church, are some good reasons to visit it once you are on the island. Just make sure you have a water bottle and your trainers with you!
Saint John
Skopelos
“Mamma mia!” Is it time to learn more about this chapel that hosted one of the most famous movie weddings of 2008? Arriving in the area of Kastri, about 30 km from the town of Skopelos, you will see a large rock that dominates the Aegean Sea. Climbing the hundred and something stairs, you will reach the top, where you will see the chapel of Agios Ioannis.
The story behind the chapel comes and blends beautifully with this magnificent landscape: A fisherman coming late at night from the Glossa area noticed a light at the top of the cliff. The light appeared every night, until a woman visited the fisherman in his sleep and revealed to him that the light was actually an image. The next day, the fisherman climbed to the top and found an icon of St. John the Baptist. He took the image with him, but every night she returned to the top of the rock. Thus, in order to protect the icon, the chapel of St. John was built.
We recommend you to visit these unique churches, especially since you can combine them with holidays on some of the most beautiful islands of Greece. Take your notepad and note down dates! For ferry tickets, all you have to do is go to Ferryscanner and find the ferry itinerary that suits you!