Μονή Παναγίας Γιάτρισσας

Frequently mentioned in reviews: Top-rated.online cuts through the clutter, highlighting only the reviews that are most helpful, earn the most likes, or come from the most active contributors. Breathtaking on Taygetos mountain range where I was baptized. Dedicated to “Our Lady of Healing”, the feast day commemorating the birth of the Virgin Mary occurs annually on September 8th. Views of the Laconian & Messinian Gulf do not disappoint. The can be hiked via E4 from Gythio and Mani villages such as Kastania, situated just below. One of the most Holy places in Greece. The grounds are protected by fortified walls they feature breathtaking views. The church is on a peak that provides 360 degree views of Gythion and Kalamata. The E4 trail will lead you straight to the church if you are up to a hike The Panagia Giatrissa dedicated to the Virgin Mary is located on the Taygetos mountain range in the Mani Peninsula of the Peloponnese region of Greece. Dedicated to “Our Lady of Healing”, the was declared a holy shrine of the Greek Orthodox Church in 1972. The celebrates its feast day in September 8. Over the ages, the condition of the has ebbed and flowed with the tide of wars, occupations, famines, and faltering or flourishing economies. Today, the complex includes a moderately sized, ornately decorated, Byzantine-style church, and a second small but quaint chapel. Residential quarters for overnight visitors surround the interior courtyard. Outside, the rewards visitors with scenic 360 degree vistas, made accessible by an impressive rampart that encircles the complex and enables visitors to easily walk the perimeter The view from this place is unbelievable! It feels like you are in the top of the world and you can see the view of both sides of the mountain towards Githio and Kardamili. Breathtaking experience, totally recommend it! Picturesque villages on the way to the from Githio. The from Githio is not the best but it is ok for a mountain road, narrow but all the is asphalt). The from the other side(Stoupa or Kardamili) isn't recommended since from tbe village Milia until the is pretty bad, not asphalt and maybe requires a jeep. An incredible experience, especially thanks to Dimitrios, the keeper of the monastery. He welcomed us, offering lokumis and telling us the history of the place. Avoid the shortest street recommended by Google maps from Kalamata/kardamily/stoupa, as it's probably supposed for 4x4 cars. If you come from the Messinian side, avoid the from Milea (the shortest way according to gmaps). It's actually not a road, for 4x4 only. A Wonderful Excursion! But go INSIDE to really appreciate this site! If you are in the area near Kalamata (Messinia), or Gythio (Laconia), or Aeropoli and the Caves of Diros (Mani), then an evening trip to this to view the sunset (or a morning trip for the sunrise) is a wonderful excursion! The views are fantastic, and you will pass through villages that take you back in time (even as they are rapidly modernizing). One reviewer spoke ignorantly about the philanthropist who made the renovation of this possible. Before the renovation, this was a disgrace: featuring an ill kept chapel with trash heaps and goat dung encroaching on its doorstep. He (Vageli Arfanis whose family is from the village of Kastania, just below) donated a huge percentage of his net worth and many hundreds of hours of personal time to enable the renovation. This philanthropist suffered a terrible tragedy in the untimely death of his only daughter, shortly after she gave birth to twins. His work to renovate the began before her death, but he dedicated the amazing courtyard to her memory. There is a plaque in her honor by its entrance (see photos). It records her name “Aryiris Arfani-Debono,” who according to a friend “shone sunlight with her smile,” in Greek: Γελουσε Φως. An artist designed the plaque in her memory emphasizing this theme. Some have commented negatively on the exterior styling of this site. Yes, from below it reminds one of a fortress more than a monastery; it is not dainty. But go inside and explore within the walls, and you will be find much elegance of design, breathtaking parapet walkways, and surprisingly subtle quiet corners and internal garden spots. Then there is the church itself, which is also not much to look out from the outside, but inside it is rather beautiful, impeccably maintained, and filled with ornate iconography. The is usually almost devoid of people - and very quiet. Little does one realize that each year, on September 8th, the monastery’s feast day, the overflows with visitors. The crowds begin arriving the evening before, taking buses, cars and hundreds simply walking through the night to arrive for the services and festivities. The is now better able to accommodate (to the degree that it can!) the mass of humanity that descends upon it each year. This is the not the most ancient of monasteries, nor the most remote, nor the largest or most impressive. It is however beautiful and awe inspiring in its own unique way. BTW: A better transliteration of the name of this is "Moni Panayia Yiatrissa." The G’s (which in Greek are gammas,) actually make a Y sound. The Greek word “Panayia” is a title for Jesus’ mother, Mary. It literally means “All Holy.” So in English, we’d call this place something like "the of the Virgin-Mother Healer," or more literally, “the of the All Holy (Mother Mary) Healer." Website change monitoring Monitor any webpage for changes – get instant email alerts when prices drop, new jobs are posted, products come back in stock, or competitors update their sites. See how the number of reviews and average review scores have changed over time.