Monday, 28 September 2026

Monastery and Ancient Ruins

 Summer sightseeing

All the Greeks I know like visiting Orthodox Monasteries especially when they're dedicated to a Saint who performs miracles

I lit some candles for myself and family


We visited this one last year and went again yesterday 
It's in the hills near the Navy resort 


Soaring stone buildings
All very impressive 


As in most Orthodox Monasteries women have to cover their trousers with a wrap around skirt 
There was a lot of grumbling about old fashioned ideas
One of the past Archbishops preached that everyone was welcome whatever they wore.
The Monasteries have not adopted this doctrine


K buys small plastic bottles and fills them with Holy Water and Oil to take back to the family





 
All the outside walls are covered in huge murals


World tourism day
Last year's outing coincided with World Heritage Day and all museums and archeological sites were free to visit.
The friend with us is a forceful character. She insisted we visit some nearby ruins even though both our husbands complained loudly.
They didn't get out of the car but We walked around the ruins of Ramnous


An obscure site well off the tourist track
There are the remains of a temple to Nemesis Goddess of Justice who punished arrogance and vanity



There's not much left to see
But me


If you're extremely energetic and it's not Midsummer you can clamber down a rocky path to the sea and the ancient port below.
I didn't   


11 comments:

  1. Ahh.. you are a sight worth seeing though

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  2. Fascinating history and traditions.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Jo

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  3. Well hello. It’s nice to see you.
    I guess when your Greek one ruin is like every other.
    I do like walking amongst them. If you’re very quiet you can hear all the past talking to you.
    No? Just me then

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    Replies
    1. I sit sometimes and wonder what it was like. You're right that the ruins all seem so similar. I still love finding these new sites, especially when they're off the beaten track

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  4. Your penultimate photo is how I feel when I sit on the gravestones whilst walking with Billy, the Dog.

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    Replies
    1. Old stones are made for sitting, watching and pondering

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  5. wow very cool old ruins, looks like a place that's packed with history, hope you are both having a good time there.

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  6. Reminds me of my trip round North Macedonia. I didn't get out of the bus sometimes.

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  7. Some of those ruins require a good eye and lots of imagination. I do love those unpainted stone churches though - despite their impising size they feel grounded in the landscape. They belong.

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