Churches Monasteries
Churches Monasteries
Paraportiani
Paraportiani is a unique and remarkable architectural complex, in the creation of which not only humans contributed, but also time, which through random wear and tear, created a final result of unrepeatable aesthetics. ‘Paraportiani’ got its name from the fact that it is located next to the small N.W. gate, ‘the side door’ of the medieval wall of Mykonos. In reality, it is a two-story complex of five (5) churches, where four of them are on the ground floor and one is elevated. This exact church is the one that bears the name of Panagia Paraportiani. It was initially created during the period between the 16th and 17th centuries, and its architectural uniqueness has elevated it to an important monument, not only for Mykonos but for the entire Aegean.
Paraportiani
Paraportiani is a unique and remarkable architectural complex, in the creation of which not only humans contributed, but also time, which through random wear and tear, created a final result of unrepeatable aesthetics.
‘Paraportiani’ got its name from the fact that it is located next to the small N.W. gate, ‘the side door’ of the medieval wall of Mykonos. In reality, it is a two-story complex of five (5) churches, where four of them are on the ground floor and one is elevated. This exact church is the one that bears the name of Panagia Paraportiani. It was initially created during the period between the 16th and 17th centuries, and its architectural uniqueness has elevated it to an important monument, not only for Mykonos but for the entire Aegean.
It is, with certainty, one of the most photographed landmarks in Greece. More specifically, the Paraportiani complex includes, as mentioned before, five small churches arranged in a complex two-story building – a product of the evolution of the uses of a peculiar old building over a few centuries. It is located on the western side of the (rectangular) Castle of Mykonos Town. It was initially the rectangular central tower and partially crowns one of the exits of the medieval fortress towards the rocky coast. This exit, the ‘Paraportia’, is a ‘katastei’ (a road covered by a building) that passes under Panagia, the church on the upper floor, and next to, parallel to the churches on the ground floor: Agios Sozontas, Agioi Anargyroi with two very strong arches inside that supported the significant superstructure of the tower, and Agia Anastasia.
Post-Byzantine Churches
Zoodochos Pigi (Cathedral) – Panachra – St. Kyriaki – St. Nicholas of the Shore – St. Helen
These are some of the many notable post-Byzantine churches in Chora, with beautiful architecture, important icons, and finely crafted iconostases (more than 70 in total in the town, many of which have been declared historical preserved monuments by the Ministry of Culture).
Their large number is explained by the many votive offerings and the old custom of Mykonians to place the bones of their deceased on the walls of the churches.
Post-Byzantine Churches
Zoodochos Pigi (Cathedral) – Panachra – St. Kyriaki – St. Nicholas of the Shore – St. Helen
These are some of the many notable post-Byzantine churches in Chora, with beautiful architecture, important icons, and finely crafted iconostases (more than 70 in total in the town, many of which have been declared historical preserved monuments by the Ministry of Culture).
Their large number is explained by the many votive offerings and the old custom of Mykonians to place the bones of their deceased on the walls of the churches.
Monastery of Panagia Tourliani
It was founded in 1542 on a site where an old church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary previously existed. In 1757-1767, the monastery, dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, was renovated by the hieromonk Ignatius Basoulas and acquired its current form. The admirable wood-carved ‘baroque’ iconostasis of the three-aisled church, the episcopal throne, and the pulpit (late 18th century) are said to have been made in Florence, while the beautiful icons of the iconostasis belong to the hagiographer John ‘from Corfu’.
The architecture of the complex impresses visitors with its simple grandeur, who will examine in its courtyard the rich relief decoration of the marble bell tower and the fountain, characteristic examples of traditional Cycladic marble sculpture. In the monastery’s collections, there are many old tools and utensils, important ecclesiastical relics, hierarchical vestments, furniture (a wood-carved epitaph, lecterns, etc.), post-Byzantine icons, and various other dedications.
Around this monastery – once very important to the economy – the present settlement of Ano Mera has mainly developed.
Monastery of Panagia Tourliani
It was founded in 1542 on a site where an old church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary previously existed. In 1757-1767, the monastery, dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, was renovated by the hieromonk Ignatius Basoulas and acquired its current form. The admirable wood-carved ‘baroque’ iconostasis of the three-aisled church, the episcopal throne, and the pulpit (late 18th century) are said to have been made in Florence, while the beautiful icons of the iconostasis belong to the hagiographer John ‘from Corfu’.
The architecture of the complex impresses visitors with its simple grandeur, who will examine in its courtyard the rich relief decoration of the marble bell tower and the fountain, characteristic examples of traditional Cycladic marble sculpture. In the monastery’s collections, there are many old tools and utensils, important ecclesiastical relics, hierarchical vestments, furniture (a wood-carved epitaph, lecterns, etc.), post-Byzantine icons, and various other dedications.
Around this monastery – once very important to the economy – the present settlement of Ano Mera has mainly developed.
Paleokastro Monastery
It is an 18th-century women’s monastery, a typical example of Cycladic monastic architecture, located north of Ano Mera.
It owes its name to the neighboring hill of the same name (“Paleokastro”) which is crowned by a medieval castle (ancient Byzantine and later renovated by the Ghisi family).
It is founded on visible remains of an ancient fortification.
In its area, one of the two ancient cities of Mykonos is recognized. One can see, among other things in the same area, the church of St. Vlassis with its large dovecote and a unique prehistoric burial monument, consisting of a large granite stone rising 3m above the ground.
Paleokastro Monastery
It is an 18th-century women’s monastery, a typical example of Cycladic monastic architecture, located north of Ano Mera.
It owes its name to the neighboring hill of the same name (“Paleokastro”) which is crowned by a medieval castle (ancient Byzantine and later renovated by the Ghisi family).
It is founded on visible remains of an ancient fortification.
In its area, one of the two ancient cities of Mykonos is recognized. One can see, among other things in the same area, the church of St. Vlassis with its large dovecote and a unique prehistoric burial monument, consisting of a large granite stone rising 3m above the ground.