Monasteries and country-churches
The monuments of Greek Orthodoxy is an important part of the national heritage and a valuable attraction of tourism. Byzantine and post-Byzantine-time churches, the magnificent cathedrals, churches and the monasteries with their important iconography, mosaics, wall paintings and icons indicate the consideration to the traditions. The Skyros, as all the islands of the Aegean Sea, is full of country churches which the most of them owe their built to a vow or they were built at times by the rulers of the island.
The Monastery of Saint George On the castle of Skyros overlook there the monastery and the church of St. George. The temple was built in 960 A.D., with financial support by the Byzantine emperors Nikiforos Fokas and Ioannis Tsimiskis. The Monastery of St. George in Skyros, was established possibly in the 13th century between 1016 AD and 1447 AD. It belonged to Constantinople Patriarchate and it was an independent monastery. In 1447 AD, perhaps a little later, the independent monastery of St. George, was joined, as Metoxi, in the monastery of Great Lavra of Mount Athos. The present complex building of the monastery is come from the years of Venetian and Othoman governors. During the 19th and 20th centuries made renewing works as too indoor arrangements. One could estimate that the time of the establishment of that church is between the period 1599 A.D – 1602 A.D. Until 2001 the monastery was in full operation. At the earthquake of 2001, the monastery had been damages and for this reason it remained closed to the public. Recently the works of constructions were completed and so it is open to the public again. From the balcony of the west wing of the monastery, you can enjoy the stunning views of the town.
Saint Dimitrios in Ferekampos place with rare beautiful icons of the Second Advent
Skyrosalso has about 300 country churches, many of them are Byzantine or post-Byzantine time with interesting stonework’s and rich holy paintings. Every country church has its own place and its own beauty and also characteristic names such us: Archontopanagia, Panagia Lemonitria, Panagia t' Thodori, Panagia Tsyrapsomou, Panagia ton voskon, Panagia D' chounia, Christ t' Arkoudi. Are Characteristic the cave-cavernous churches also, white ate located in remote and difficult walking places. |