Amorgos, Monasteries, Monastery Virgin Mary Hozoviotissa, map, photos

Monastery of Virgin Mary (Panagia) Hozoviotissa

Hotels and rooms to let in Amorgos island

Amorgos is full of monasteries, but the only one that has been identified with the holy image of the island, is the Monastery of Hozoviotissa, dedicated to Virgin Mary. It is located close to Chora on a steep area above the sea. Amorgians consider Virgin Mary Hozoviotissa the patroness of the island and celebrate her honor with a great feast and with a piety procession of the image in the surrounding villages.

Monastery of Virgin Mary (Panagia) Hozoviotissa
The island’s top attraction is the 10th century cliffside monastery of Panayia Hozoviótissa, dedicated to the Presentation of the Virgin, a spiritual haven and one of the most important ecclesiastic monuments in Greece. Set high up on the steepest rock of Mt. Profitis Elias, 300m above the Aegean, the building resembles a “chest of drawers”, according to the French explorer Pitton de Tournefort. Visible only from the sea, the monastery is an example of human triumph over nature, a wonder that will leave you awestruck.

According to tradition, the monastery was founded by the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos in 1088, during the period of Iconoclasm, when the icon of Panayia was sent by a woman from Hozovo from Palestine and miraculously made its way to Amorgós. According to another version, the Monastery was founded in the 9th century by monks from Palestine and was later renovated by the emperor Alexios I Komnenos.

The monastery has eight floors connected by narrow stone staircases carved into the rock. 350 steps lead you to the monastery, the interior of which is like a labyrinth. The cells of the monks are all carved into the rock to form a unique example of traditional architecture. Two icons of the Virgin Mary and other religious relics from the period of Alexios Komninos have been found at the monastery. Important heirlooms such as a manuscript, gospels, vestments and ecclesiastical utensils dating from the 10th to the 19th century are also on display.

There is a stunning view of the island’s wild beauty from the highest balcony of the Monastery. On the 21st of November there is a celebration of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, the highlight of which is the procession of Her holy icon. After the procession there is a massive feast with plenty of food, wine and delicious traditional sweets!

Source: GNTO

Accommodation
For your stay in Amorgos, you can book a room in one of the hotels and Bed & Breakfast inns.
In Aegiali, Katapola as well as in the town of Amorgos (Chora), there are hotels and accommodations of various categories and types (rooms to let, residences, Bed & Breakfast inns, studios, hostels, guesthouses and furnished apartments) that can satisfy every visitor's demands and needs for a pleasant and enjoyable stay.
You can find a list of hotels and rooms to let, as well as special offers for low cost holidays, in the list of lodgings in the area and the accommodation offers and deals.

Access
You can rent a car or use the public transportation to go around the island.

From Piraeus, Rafina and the rest of the Cyclades islands by ferry, flying dolphis, catamaran and with the local ship "Express Skopelitis" from the port of Katapola.
From Siros with Panagia Tinos, Arsinoi from Santorini and Super Jet from Heraklion Crete.

For your convenience, you can use the route map on the field “Routes” with information about the mileage, the time you need and the route you will follow, selecting the points of interest.

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