The first stones of the monastery of Elijah the Prophet are said to have been laid in 1711. This monastery is a masterpiece of Cycladic architecture characteristic of southern island Greece. It has preserved its grandeur and special atmosphere.
The wide stone vaults unite in the graceful architecture of the white and blue domes and heads of the temples. The monastery is situated on an impregnable rock of the same name in ancient times, which in Greek sounds as Profitias Ilias. The monastery was protected from enemies by natural barriers - high rocks and walls. And so it has preserved to this day its grandeur, which was laid down at its birth.
The monastery has always been famous for its patrons, thanks to which it was actively built up, expanded and conducted commercial activities on the sea.
From the middle of the 19th century, the monastery began to go through a difficult time of decline. After an earthquake in 1956, the temples and walls of other buildings were partially destroyed.
Gradually the monastery grew smaller and smaller and today it has no more than 10 monks. But as before, the monastic community and the charitable projects it has initiated continue to benefit the people of Santorini.
They continue to be active in educational activities, helping to support literature and cultural life of the island. The monks have at their disposal an extensive library of unique books.
The monastic brotherhood is engaged in its own farming and agriculture and is very successful. The monks grow grapes and produce excellent and unique in taste, wines.
There are almost all the most precious products of Santorini - olives, dried fruits and vegetables. They are sold in a small store of the monastery near the temple.
The monastery has a unique icon that the islanders believe brings prosperity to Santorini.
When for a long time the hot climate of Santorini does not promise a single drop of moisture from the sky, the Santorini people carry the icon around the island and after prayers and a procession with the icon the life-giving moisture comes to the sun-scorched island.
The monastery keeps the relics of the saints. It has icons created by the best local and visiting masters.
The main temple of the monastery is the Catholicon. It is connected to the other temple outbuildings by galleries. The temple is connected to the high chapel of St. Purification.
The main temple was built over several centuries. Its first reconstruction dates back to 1724. There have been various reconstructions since, but they have not significantly altered the austere but magnificent appearance of the main church of the monastery.
Several monks live in the monastery.
The monastery is sparsely populated and cannot boast of opulent interiors, but many Greeks consider the place particularly sacred and revere it as the island's main temple.
The view from the observation deck of the monastery is inspiring to anyone who visits. It is, in fact, a splendor that is hard to compare with anything else.
The monastery is located at the highest point of the island - 567 meters above sea level, that is more than half a kilometer. Therefore, for those who do not take well the pressure differences due to the difference in altitude, a quick ascent is not recommended.
Take your camera with you and bring a few euros to donate to the church.
At the top of the mountain is an active military base, guarded and equipped with various equipment, so we do not recommend climbing to the top without a guide who knows the safe distance of approach.
The road is long enough and there are no particularly comfortable cafes or restaurants nearby, so it is a good idea to bring water and a snack.
The monastery can be reached from the popular resort of Kamari. There is no direct route, so you have to make a circle through Pyrgos. If you leave from Fira, it will take 20-30 minutes, while from Emporio it will take 15-19 minutes. The main obstacle is the high mountain, which can be reached only by serpentine road.
" />
