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Greece - Kalavryta, Monastery of Mega Spileo

The Monastery of Mega Spileo (Μονή Μεγάλου Σπηλαίου ) - formally the Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos (Ιερά Μονή Κοιμήσεως της Θεοτόκου) - is built on the western slopes of Mount Helmos at a height of more than 900 meters.

The monastery's architecture reminds of a fortress and it has eight floors. The cells of the monks are built around a cave. The monastery – one of the oldest of Greece - was originally built in 362 by two Thessalonian brothers, when a shepherd girl found an icon of the Virgin Mary inside a cave. The icon was made of wax and mastic and it is believed that Apostle Luke painted it. The icon survived a lot of fires and destruction and can still be admired in the monastery (PiP5).

In the year of 840 Mega Spileo Monastery was burnt down by a religious group. It was rebuilt in 1285 by the emperor Andronikos Paleologos, but suffered many destroying fires along its history. The monastery suffered another destruction in 1943 when the Nazi troops, after the massacre of Kalavryta, put the Monastery of Mega Spileo on fire and killed its twelve monks and its staff, either shooting at them or throwing them from the rocks. Some managed to survive, hidden in close caves after having taken some valuable icons with them.

Nowadays the Monastery of Mega Spileo is an imposing construction with a 17th-century church that hosts remarkable frescoes, mosaic floors and a bronze door with relief decoration. The Monastery also hosts a museum that displays carved wooden crosses, antique manuscripts, and Holy Gospels.
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45 comments

Annemarie said:

nice image

HFF
3 months ago ( translate )

Madeleine Defawes said:

Superbes images du monastère !
Bon weekend. Amitiés
3 months ago ( translate )

Herb Riddle said:

Another Greek monastery from you. A fine series here Jaap. Well done.

HFF, enjoy the weekend. Herb
3 months ago

Nora Caracci said:

hFF & weekend !
3 months ago ( translate )

Erhard Bernstein said:

HFF Jaap! Great series!
3 months ago ( translate )

Günter Klaus said:

Groartig haben sie das vor die Felsen gebaut,da zeigst du wieder wunderschöne Aufnahmen von diesen Kloster lieber Jaap :))

Wünsche noch einen schönen Tag,liebe Grüße Güni :))
3 months ago ( translate )

Trudy Tuinstra said:

heel interessant. HFF
3 months ago ( translate )

Roger (Grisly) said:

Impressive and interesting location in a fine set of images Jaap
Thanks for the information, HFF and a good weekend!
3 months ago

Nicole Merdrignac said:

HFF. Très belle photo. Bon week-end.
3 months ago ( translate )

Schussentäler said:

Eine faszinierende Bauweise direkt am Felsen und im Innern eine wunderschöne gestaltete Kirche
3 months ago ( translate )

Patrick Brandy said:

Encore une belle découverte de ce magnifique monastère merci pour l'info bonne journée.
3 months ago ( translate )

Guy Bacca (guybac) said:

Belles images et historique. Malgré les violentes attaques subies, ce monastère renait et semble indestructible.
3 months ago ( translate )

Mario Vargas said:

great serie, sense of inmensity¡¡. HFF
3 months ago ( translate )

Keith Burton said:

A very impressive and interesting monastery, set in amazing surroundings. You've captured a wonderful series of images of it Jaap.

It has a fascinating (and sometimes terrifying), history too, but I'm glad it's survived.

Superb work sir!
3 months ago

Walter 7.8.1956 said:

Ein schönes Wochenende Jaap!
3 months ago ( translate )