10 Must-Visit Churches and Monasteries in Greece

   Greece, the place, where ancient myths rustle in the wind and the sun holds a benediction to all sceneries, is not merely all about beautiful islands and centuries-old ruins. It is also deep spiritual experience and is the land of the miraculous heritage of churches and monasteries that are the lifelong testaments of centuries-old dedication and sheer artistic ability. Consider stained glass windows and hallowed shrines, typically strung vertiginously to the edges of cliffs or in tranquil remote valleys, with a substantial plunge into the Byzantine Greek history and a rich Orthodox Christian culture. In case you are envisioning a vacation that will forever enrich your life, then you will find that some of the best Greece Tour Packages and Greece Holiday Packages are specifically targeted at ensuring that you set out sightseeing these spiritual treasures without experiencing a single bit of trouble at all.

Here are the 10 Must-Visit Churches and Monasteries in Greece:

1. The Monasteries of Meteora (Thessaly)

We will begin with the absolutely amazing. Meteora, definitely, is the most striking religious place in Greece, the UNESCO World Heritage jewel which is almost unbelievable. Imagine nature rock pillars that are so enormous and now imagine monasteries sitting so close on the top as if they are standing there, above the earth and sky. Since the 14 th century, these hanging monasteries were constructed by hermits who wanted to stay away. As of today six, out of 24, are active and welcome.

• Great Meteoron Monastery: The largest and the oldest. Be prepared to see panoramas that can make you gasp and a great variety of Byzantine art and historical relics.

• Monastery of Varlaam: The second biggest, known by its detailed frescos, the peaceful air that it seems to bang history breathing.   

• Monastery of Roussanou: This lovely nunnery is perched on a small rock so a bit lower than the other, so it seems to be covered with an aureole of mystic mist.   

• Holy Trinity Monastery: Chances are that you have seen this one in the movies! It is ascribed to be tough in terms of its climb but everything seems worth it due to the iconic views.

• Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas: Though smaller, it looks sensual and thoroughly seductive with its multi-storey structure and mind blowing frescoes of the renowned Cretan artist Theophanes.

• Monastery of Saint Stephen: The sole female active monastery of Meteora. It is readily accessible and has some of the most breath taking and unobstructed views of the valley below.

2. Monastery of Saint John the Theologian (Patmos)

Come with us to Patmos--the holy island--so dearly termed the Jerusulem of the Aegean. In this there is a castle-like monastery presiding over the scene. It was established in 1088 by Saint Christodoulos and it was constructed near the very cave, where Saint John the Theologian is assumed to write the powerful Book of Revelation (the Apocalypse). You will find a priceless set of icons, ancient manuscript, and religious artifacts within. Its high walls make a lot of explanations of its historical significance, as the spiritual refuge, as the defensive fortress.

3. Panagia Evangelistria (Tinos)

The Church of Panagia Evangelistria The church on the island of Tinos is often referred to as Megalochari ("She of Great Grace"). It is indeed one of the most important pilgrimages oriented to Orthodox Christians in the entire Greece. Here come crowds of pilgrims who, by thousands every year, visit especially on the 15h August (the Dormition of the Virgin Mary); many of them on their knees, making the passage from the port to the church. Within the church is a miraculous icon of Virgin Mary which has amazing healing powers. The unbelievable magnitude of faith that you can see here will be in your memory forever.

4. Monastery of Hosios Loukas (Boiotia)

The Monastery of Hosios Loukas is another spectacular site in the UNESCO World Heritage, an outstanding illustration of the Middle Byzantine architecture and art in its best. It was built in the 10 th century by the pious hermit Saint Loukas, who lived on the calm slopes of Mount Helicon. This monastery is known to the world by its magnificent 11th-century mosaics and frescoes especially those located in the Katholikon (the main church). They are regarded as among the most significant in the whole of Christendom, hence the appropriation of the monastery into the nickname of small Hagia Sophia.

5. Mount Athos (Halkidiki)

Get ready to have the most unusual experience in Mount Athos, and that is the Holy Mountain. This is an autonomous monastic state in Northern Greece which is fully dedicated to the prayer and the monastic life. It has 20 big Orthodox monasteries and numberless smaller monastic settlements, some of them more than a thousand years old! Mount Athos is highly restricted to visit - only men, who are pilgrims, are admitted and they must have special permission to visit it. This spiritual refuge carefully conserves old monastic customs and has looked after a fantastic treasure trove of Byzantine art and snapshots and holy relics.

6. Panagia Ekatontapiliani (Paros)

The Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani or as it was endearingly named, the "Church of 100 Doors" is a lovely church in the lovely capital of Paros, Parikia. It is among one of the oldest and therefore most important early Christian monuments in Greece, some of whose parts even date back to the 4th century. The complex itself is a gem with a major church, two lesser chapel and a baptistery. It is whispered that there are 99 doors seen: the 100th will await the miraculous re-conquest of Constantinople (present-day Istanbul) by the Greeks. The bold architecture and a deep historical background make it a definite must-visit, whenever one goes to Paros.

7. Arkadi Monastery (Crete)

The Arkadi Monastery in the beautiful island of Crete is not only a beautiful Eastern Orthodox monastery in the 16 th century, but also a stronghold of the resistance struggle against Ottoman rule in the Greek island of Crete. Hundreds of Cretans, many of them women and children, committed a noble self-sacrifice, blasted themselves to death rather than be captured by the Ottomans, during the Cretan revolt of 1866. This renders it an extremely historical and national place of great interest. The calm and sleepy rural baroque facade accompanied by quiet courtyard contrasts the gruesome yet heroic history of the monastery.

8. Daphni Monastery (Attica)

The other proud UNESCO World Heritage site is only a few kilometers away from crowded Athens 4.6km to be precise the daphni monastery. It was constructing on the same place of the earlier temple of Apollo. This 11 th-century Byzantine monastery is rightly renowned because of its entirely incredible mosaics which are considered by many as one of the greatest specimens of Byzantine art in the world. Having been damaged throughout the centuries, its completely intact mosaics, in particular, the impressive Pantocrator in the dome, is really mind-blowing and provides a profound insight into the artistic genius of Byzantine world.

9. Agios Ioannis Kastri (Skopelos)

To all the Mamma Mia! Agios Ioannis Kastri on the picturesque island of Skopelos caught the eye of fans all over the world and immediately caused recognition! It is another whitewashed and picturesque dream scenery church situated cliffside. Although it might not be as engulfed in ancient history as other sites on this list, its genuinely breathtaking location and stunning views of the Aegean Sea means that it is a place that you will never forget, and be eternally grateful in having visited. There are a number of steps to be negotiated indeed, yet the prize you get in the end, that genuinely idyllic setting, well, that alone makes it all worth all the trouble.

10. Saint Andrew's Cathedral (Patras)

Saint Andrews Cathedral in Patras is the biggest church in Greece and the third biggest church adopting Byzantine style in the whole Balkan peninsula therefore it is an important pilgrimage site. It is the proud home of the sacred relics of a saint Andrew, one of the twelve apostles and the beloved Patron Saint of Patras. The massive size, along with the magnificent and mind-blowing inside of this enormous basilica is quite remarkable that sets it unfailingly as one of the major religious attractions in Western Greece.

Conclusion: 

Churches and monasteries on Greek soil show an exciting mixture of fiery spirituality, architectural magnificence, and the echo of a history. Each location has its own message to convey, and it is your privilege to come back in time and meet the amazingly rich culture and religious background. Are you a history lover, a work of art or one who just wants to get that little and secular moment of spiritual pleasure, whatever your nature is, these religious sites will not disappoint you. So, next time you may be setting up your vacation adventure then you should surely include these magnificent monuments in your Greece Tour Packages or Greece Holiday Packages as it is surely going to make your trip worthwhile.