
The Monastery of Panachrantou
The
villages of Pera Choria, Koureli, Sasa (Oreino) and other smaller settlements
are located near Chora. From there you can
ascend towards the famous Monastery of Panachrantou, whose architecture is particularly interesting. The existence of
the monastery was first mentioned at the end of the 16th century. According to a
tradition, it was founded by the emperor Nicephoros II Phocas. It became
famous in the 17th century and housed up to 300 monks during the
Greek War of Independence. Father Evdokimos has been a monk here since
1956. The relics of the saint’s head are kept in the church of Agios
Panteleimon.

The Monastery of Agios Nikolaos
It
was founded in the 11th century. It was abandoned and inhabited
again between 1450 and 1480. Its main church, which is believed to have been
built by workers from Chios, houses the relics of the head of Agios Nikolaos
(Saint Nicholas). In the narthex there is an icon of Saint Nicholas, who was
the Bishop of Myra in Lycia during the 17th century. The icon was
embroidered by a nun called Leontia with threads and hair from her own head. It
is said that once a year, the dry lilies around the icon of the Virgin Mary
bloom. You can take the trail starting near the monastery and head towards Achla.

Agia Triada
The construction of the monastery began in the 19th century. The
School that operated in Agia Triada was founded in 1813 by a hieromonk called
Samuil Plasimis or Skazis. It became the first Greek school that operated during
the Ottoman period. According to old texts, the School had a big classroom, teachers’
lodges, a kitchen, students’ apartments and a church with a bell tower. Today the
monastery has more or less the same layout. There used to be an aqueduct in the
monastery, as well, that covered the needs of the whole area of Korthi. Many Andrian
bishops and archbishops graduated from the School of Agia Triada. In 1862, the
School was merged with the school of Korthi which operated there up until 15
years ago. Today, the Municipality holds conferences and exhibitions in these
facilities that have been turned into an environmental education centre. The
monastery has also a library with old books and manuscripts dating back to the
Byzantine period.


The Monastery of Agia Irini
It
is situated near Apoikia at a privileged
location with an excellent view. It was a nunnery that was built in 1780 and is
now closed. In its main church there is a marble iconostasis created at the
beginning of the 19th century.


The Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi
This
monastery with the defensive architecture is the largest of the island and it is
located north of Batsi. It is mentioned in
a document dating in 1400AD and was renovated around 1550AD. The monastery came
under the direct administration of the Patriarchate in 1612 with a document
issued by the Ecumenical Patriarch Timotheos II. It has been a nunnery since
1928. The wood carved iconostasis and the murals of its church are outstanding.


Tromarchiani
The church of Tromarchiani is dedicated to
the Assumption of Mary and found in the area of Korthi. The church has a
beautiful wood carved iconostasis dating back to the 18th century.
It is open on Easter Monday, when celebrations are held. You can enjoy a
panoramic view of the open sea from that location.

The Church of Taxiarchis of Mesaria
The
Byzantine church of Taxiarchis is located amidst a beautiful, verdant landscape
at Messaria. It dates back to the 12th century.
The Church of Taxiarchis of Melida
You
will notice this beautiful church on your left, as you drive from Stavropeda
towards Chora. It was built in the late 11th century. There are
traces of murals dating back to the 12th century inside the church. The
cemetery of Pitrofos is located in its courtyard. Pitrofos is the rural village
that you will reach right after passing the church.