Monastery Views

There is one Monastery on the island, Zoodochos Pigis.  The name means 'Life giving spring'.  Google says that its a medieval monastery (1773) and has a few rare icons.  There's only one monk there usually with some of his family and a few hangers-on.

I know that from the entrance, up quite a few steps, there is a great view of the bay below and the mountains on the mainland opposite.  Women cannot enter wearing men's clothing, wrap around skirts provided in the entranceway.  If you enter wearing trews, or shorts for  men, and the monk is around then you'll get told off. 

There's a spring down below whose waters are supposed to have cured Archbishop Jacovos 11 of lithiasis, gall stones or kidney stones.  He decided to build the Monastery where this miracle took place.  And Hey Presto, here it still is today.  One of Poros's few sites/sights to see

The steps to the church and cloister

One of the many cypress trees,  

Cypress trees always grow (are planted) around churches and graveyards

View from the top

Monastery Beach (what else would it be called)

There's an organised beach down there and a fish taverna.  All rents go to the Monastery.  It has acres of land around it, mostly forest but also olive trees.  

Woman in men's attire wearing wrap around skirt

And down below on the roadside is a cafe with chairs under the spreading chestnut tree and a cool breeze coming down the ravine even in mid-summer

The 'life-giving' spring

Just a trickle now but you can fill a bottle and give it a try.  It's good to drink.  All the water served by the cafe comes from there

Our good friend Meleti and his coffee-carrier

Meleti makes the cheesecake, pies and a variety of snacks by himself.  Well worth trying

He's a good friend and a jolly wee man who will make your day a happy one.  He's often helped by his wife and children, all equally cheerful

Loos are up the road in the forest.  Pleasantly clean

Meleti and his wife Nektaria always have a show of flowers and plants in pots.  Soon there will be big bushes of basil

Now, doesn't that look pleasant.

The chairs aren't terribly comfortable but are ok for an hour of book reading, talking and ouzo drinking