ASTYPALEA TRAVEL GUIDE

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CHURCHES & MONASTERIES

Megali Panagia

The temple of Megali Panagia is located in Hora, beneath the castle.

It was named Megali Panagia (meaning “Great Mother Mary”) because it used to be considered Hora’s biggest church. It is dedicated to Mother Mary’s birthday and is also known as the temple of Keharitomeni Panagia. It was built in the 18th century. The courtyard is characteristic with its black and white pebbled floor constructed in 1879. The neoclassical chancel screen and the Episcopal throne are also of some interest.

Panagia of Castro

It is located inside the Castle of Hora.

The temple Panagia tou Kastrou is a domed basilica dedicated to the Annunciation. It was built in 1853 in the position of the tower that was also the residence of the Querini family, above the castle’s entrance. To enter it, one must ascend the stairs on the exterior side of the Castle’s entrance. Inside the castle it is worth noting the wonderful marble chancel screen.

On one of the temple’s walls there is a stone with an inscription and two coats of arms dating from 1413, which have unfortunately been covered by consecutive layers of whitewash.

Agios Georgios

It is located in Hora’s Castle. The temple of Agios Georgios was built in 1790. It is a simple domed basilica, with a wooden carved chancel screen and an Episcopal throne.

Monastery of Panagia Portaitissa

The Monastery is located in Hora beneath the castle and specifically on the side where the tower of “Sarai” is located.

It is one of the island’s most beautiful churches and today’s metropolitan cathedral. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary of the Iberian Monastery of Agion Oros and on August 15th, during its large, three-day feast, it attracts the whole island’s population.

The construction of the monastery was started by Saint Anthimos in 1762 and was completed in 9 years. A temple of exquisite architecture, it has a sculpted bell tower and a heavily ornamented interior. The small churches of Agios Stefanos and Agios Dimitrios also belong to the monastery, as well as the Ecclesiastical Museum of Astypalaia.

In the temple’s interior it is worth noticing the wooden Chancel Table and the wooden carved chancel screen of 1766, where we see the icon of Panagia Portaitissa left by Saint Anthimos.