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- Agios Georgios. It is the island’s metropolitan temple, built in the 18th century on the remnants of a previous temple that had been demolished and which appears to have existed before 1613. Its face is adorned with a marble relief of saint George (agios Georgios). Under the temple, there is the house of philosopher and rebel Theofilos Kairis, which operates as a museum. Kairis declared revolution in Andros on the 10th of May 1821, hoisting the flag on the temple’s bell tower. LocationIn the old town of Hora, on the right side of the central road.
- Monastery of Panahrantou or Agios Panteleimonas. According to tradition, the monastery was founded by Byzantine emperor Nicephorus Phocas (10th century), when he passed from the island as commander-in-chief on his way to suppress the revolt in Crete and the priests talked to him about the miraculous icon. Attributing his victory to the grace of Holy Mary, the help of whom he had beseeched, he passed from Andros once again on his way back and gave money for the construction of the monastery.The temple is small, of the Byzantine order with an octagonal dome devoted to the Dormition. Outside the monastery we find the chapel of Fotodotis, built on the spot where the icon supposedly appeared in bright light. This is the most important heirloom in the monastery, along with the skull of saint Panteleimonas. This is why the monastery celebrates both the Dormition on the 15th of August and the memory of the saint on the 27th of July.The most important things to see in the monastery are the miraculous, silver plated icon of Holy Mary (Panahrantos) and the holy relic of saint Panteleimonas. The icon, which is said to have been produced by evangelist Luke, was supposedly revealed to two hermits beneath a cave. There are also significant murals of the 18th century and an excellent, wood carven chancel screen. LocationIt is located on a steep slope over village Fallika but access is easier from Mesa Vouni, as the road is better.
- Monastery of Zoodohos Pigi or Agia. The most important monastery in Andros, with a significant contribution to the local economy and to the struggle for liberation. The date of its foundation is not known; the oldest clue we have is the date on the icon of Zoodohos Pigi (1325). Many locals were educated in its school to become priests, bishops and patriarchs. The parvis contains arches, arcades and stairways. It is a centralized, cross-in-the-square, domed temple with a narthex. In 1928 it was renovated and turned into a convent, in which the nuns produced excellent textiles. Today, very few nuns remain in the monastery. It celebrates on the day of Zoodohos Pigi, on Friday after Easter.There is a charming wood carven chancel screen, murals of the 14th and 16th century and the icon of Zoodohos Pigi dated at 1325. There are also many manuscripts, codes and heirlooms from 1821 and older, as well as a museum. LocationIt is located in area Kapsorahi, 4 km of dirt road from Mpatsi.
- Panagia Thalassini. A charming, picturesque chapel, perched on top of the rock, under the old town. It is the patron saint of sailors. LocationIt is located in Hora, between the Castle and the beach of Nimporios. You can reach it by the stairs that pass in front of the Museum of Modern Art.
- Panagia Theoskepasti It is the island’s patron saint. The temple was built in 1555 and after renovations and extensions it has come to be the imposing, white temple we see today, with two bell towers and marble lintels over the entrance. Its name (“Theoskepasti”=covered by God) is derived from a miracle that happened during its construction. A timber-carrying ship was in danger in the sea and the sailors had to throw the cargo into the sea. The ship was thus saved and the timber was washed ashore, near the half-finished temple, which still had no roof. This unexpected turn-up of the wood to finish the roof was considered God-sent and this is how the Church was given its name.A characteristic of the temple is the Byzantine icon of Panagia Odigitria, the discovery of which is considered a miracle. It was found by locals inside a cave, driven by the light it emitted. The temple was built over that cave. LocationOn the way from Kairi square of Hora to Paraporti, we see it on our left hand side.
- Temple of Taxiarchis.This is one of the oldest temples in the island, probably dating back to the 11th century, of the centralized, domed, cross-in-the-square type. It has been renovated many times over the years. After the last renovation by the Ministry of Culture the masonry is now evident and the roof is tiled.Very few of the excellent 12th century murals are preserved. The marble chancel screen was detached in the 18th century to adorn the face of the temple of Agios Nikolaos in Mesaria.LocationIt is near the settlement of Melida. Following the road from Hora to Stavropeda, after the right turn to Pitrofos we find the temple on the right.
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Temples & Monasteries
