10 Beautiful Churches To Visit In Greece
- by XpatAthens
- Monday, 25 January 2021
Millions of tourists and worshipers flock to well-known churches of Greece such as Panagia Paraportiani in Mykonos, the monasteries at Meteora, and the church of Kapnikarea in Athens. However, this list of 10 lesser-known churches steeped in beauty, spirituality, and history can give you great insight into Greece's culture, religion, and even architecture.
1. The Church Of The Seven Martyrs, Sifnos Island
Situated on a windy peninsula, right below Kastro village in Sifnos, this chapel is surrounded by the beautiful blue of the Aegean sea. The sunrise here is breathtaking.
2. Church of St. Isidoros, Chios Island
Located in a small lovely bay, near the Sykiada village in Northeast Chios, this is one of the most photographed places in the island.
3. Monastery of Elona, Lakonia Peloponesse
According to tradition, the miracle-working icon of Panagia Vrefokratousa was found here and the first two monks settled in to protect it. The majestic monastery stands on a huge rocky crag of Mount Parnon and it brought hope to the Greek people during the Ottoman oppression.
4. Panagia Makrini, Samos Island
Found on the western side of Kerki, the Holy Mountain of Samos, this chapel is built within a cave surrounded by earthen pots which fill from the water from the stalactites.
5. The Monastery Of St John The Theologian, Chora of Patmos Island
Declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO, this monastery was founded in 1088 when the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Kommenos gave the island of Patmos to the soldier-priest Ioannis Christodoulos “the Blessed”. Hidden in the walls are fragments of an ancient temple of Artemis that was destroyed in the 11th century. Halfway down the cobbled path that leads to the monastery is the Cave of the Apocalypse, where St.John is believed to have received his revelations.
6. St. Fanourios Church – Lake Doxa, Corinthia Peloponesse
Lake Doxa is an artificial lake in western Corinthia, near the village of ancient Feneos. This small chapel is on a small peninsula in the heart of the lake.