monastery of panagia hozoviotissa (grace of panagia -virgin mary)

240NancyS

Unfortunately at this monastery there is a very unfriendly and rude old monk, which has packed with also unfriendly guards and armed policemen all the areas of the Monastery!!!But what I saw the day that I visited this Monastery was beyond all reason!!!The monk along with one of the guards, literally kicked out of the place two people just because they had dark skin!!! I entered the Monastery the same time with them and they were very quiet and did nothing wrong!!!That was a really sad and racist behavior and I feel awful about it!Some friends that visited the same Monastery 8 years ago told me that there was another young monk there who was very kind and friendly, but unfortunately this has changed now!!I agree that the view is fantastic from up there but the guards don’t allow to take photos of it, and I mean just the view, because taking photos of the inside or outside of the Monastery is totally out of the question for them!!I felt really upset about this situation and I would really highly recommend anyone NOT to visit this place!!

RitaA980

Loved it all - what a lovely place. Very impressive to see such a building, so high up and built into the cliffs and gleaming white. A very special place.

eksg

The most amazing view of the island where you get to meet the grand bleu! It's is so worth it to climb all these stairs and see the view and the monastery. You get closer to God. I have no words to describe the magic of the place. I will definitely visit again and especially in November where a big panygiri takes place.

AlisonHartigan

This is a stunning building built into the side of a sheer rock face. There used to be 100 monks there but now there are only a few. The history about why is was built there is fascinating. It's so so beautiful and the views over the ocean are spectacular. It is a long walk up the steps, wear good footwear and take water, it gets very hot and the steps are very slippery on the way down. We did it at midday (it closes for a few hours at 1pm and we had to get a return boat) which is not recommended. You need to cover up when you go inside but there are clothes hanging on the rails outside. Really spectacular.

Sissi3_11

It is an excellent place where you feel all the religious vibes. Excellent view and a place where everybody has to visit.

LisaK581

Such a funny, unexpectedly exhilarating experience. We were given liquor, candy, water...and it was such a gorgeous view.

Luv2TravelFarNWide

Just seeing this monastery perched on the side of a cliff, 300 meters above the sea, was worth the trip. Climbing the 400 stairs was an accomplishment, but saw lots of older people making the pilgrimage, so I quit complaining (out loud). APPROPRIATE DRESS REQUIRED: pants and shirts for men; no bare knees or shoulders for women. They offer some rather ratty old shirts and pants for you to put on if you want to go inside. Some of us went in and others just sat outside and admire the spectacular views.Inside is impressive - if you haven't seen similar churches in Russia, etc. Otherwise, it's nothing "new." However, there are still a few monks who live here and they offer you turkish candy and cinnamon flavored ouzo at the end of your tour. The church closes at 7 pm. No exceptions. So check with locals for hours and days of opening.THERE ARE NO BATHROOM FACILITIES anywhere near this monastery. Not in the parking lot, not at the church, and not along the very public stairs.There is no way up or down except to walk. No handicap-accessibility.

FirasES

and very tiring climb of the stairs to see the monastery hidden behind the high cliffs. One has a great view to the sea and the bay from there.

ronr491

The Monastery was worth the stairs, picture opportunities all around, but the best part of it all was being on our own... traveling the island on mopeds we had rented at the marina. That day was among the best of all our sailing days.

clairiep

This site is certainly worth the hike up the steps. The Monastery is built high against the precipitous cliffs on the south side of the island, seemingly clinging to the cliffs. The view from up there is breathtaking. The Monastery is small but amazing. You will be offered a short tour, a drink and something sweet. Bring proper clothes (long trousers for men), skirt and head cover for women, otherwise you need to use old clothes left on the railings outside by other travellers. Regardless of how hot it is there will be a very welcome breeze up there.

MykonosSurvivor

I was very impressive from my visit to the monastery? Be there on time because they close early sometimes

supertripsuper

you must go there but try to go early in the morning to avoid heat and the crowd. The place is astonishing. make sure to be dressed properly in order to respect the monks.

AlF979

An amazing experience, capped by the traditional monastic hospitality of a complimentary drink and sweet after the strenuous climb to the top!

Valinor2014

Worth the stairs. The best window with a view in Greece! Breathtaking view of the sea. Kind monk treating you raki and water and telling the story of the monastery. Don't miss it

moniquev885

Not easy to get to the monastery in the heat but the result is worth it: quiet, plastered to the cliff with a great view