SERIFOS TRAVEL GUIDE

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CHURCHES & MONASTERIES

The Monastery of Taxiarches

The Monastery of Taxiarches, which is near the village of Galani, is very interesting from an architectural point of view. It was built in 1572 and is a men’s monastery and in 1617 a school was founded there. The building has the characteristics of a fortress and is constructed inside a high surrounding wall. It has only one entrance which is 4m. in height, embrasures and a mobile ladder. This construction is due to the fact that the monastery’s wealth was well known which attracted pirates. The monks were forced to fight to protect the monastery on many occasions. The monastery is dedicated to the archangels Michael and Gabriel, who are also the island’s protectors, and their icon is considered to have miraculous powers. Its sanctuary is a three-aisled building, single-spaced with a dome. Its frescos, parts of which still exist nowadays are said to have been created by Emmanuel Scordilis and they represent the fight of the Archangel against the beast from Revelations, the Dragon, which swallows kings and bishops. The temple’s icons are considered to be a characteristic sample of the Cretan hagiographic school. What is also very interesting is the relief of a two-headed eagle on the marble floor (1659), while among the treasures of the monastery there are some remarkable items of worship, manuscripts and the Sacred Code (of 1754). In 1909 a library was founded in the monastery.

Agios Ioannis Theologos

Agios Ioannis Theologos is carved into the rock and it is considered to be one of the most important monuments in Greece. According to tradition it is built on the ruins of an ancient temple of Athene. It is also said that in some of its catacombs there is the head of Medusa, which was brought by Perseus, turning Polydektes – the cunning king of Serifos - into stone, according to the mythology of Serifos.

Agios Athanasios

The church is situated next to the neoclassic building of the town hall and it is the cathedral of the island. The surrounding wall with its marble slabs is worth seeing. Its wall paintings were created by the Serifian hagiographer, Apostolos Grekos. Its woodcut temple dates from the 18th century.

The church of Panagia

The Church of Panagia is situated in the settelment of Panagia. The church is Byzantine and it is the oldest church on the island, built around 950-1000 A.D. The church is called Xylopanagia because of a custom that used to take place during its annual celebration which is held on the fifteenth of August. It is a cruciform-shaped basilica and its remarkable frescos date from the 14th and the 17th century. During the revolution of 1821, in which the Serifians participated actively, its cells were used as a refuge for the refugees from Peloponnesus and from the islands around Serifos.