Monastery of Paleokastro
Monastery of Paleokastro
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4.0
67 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
29
Average
11
Poor
0
Terrible
3
Sus1952
Palmerston North, New Zealand2,119 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
This monastery is on the edge of the village. Currently (7th June 2022) it is actually wrongly placed on the Trip Advisor map. Use Google maps to get the correct location . This was somewhat similar to the monastery in the village, cuboid white built around a courtyard. The differences were that this monastery had flowers growing everywhere and the church was set to the side. It was extremely peaceful and a beautiful place to meditate.
Written 8 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike S
England, UK148 contributions
Sept 2014 • Couples
I have to admit at the outset that there is no way I would visit the inside of a monastery and this austere 18thC monastery has no architectural merit to offer from the outside either. So why am I writing a review? Well, Paleokastro is a fascinating place both visually and archeologically. The monastery and collection of two chapels, ruined house and ruined fortified square tower (not a dovecote) is at the foot of a tall conical hill (unfortunately gated and locked). On the top of the hill are the ruins of the Venetian castle of Gizi/Ghizi. Only the footprint of this ancient fortification is visible and has been replaced by yet another christian chapel - all the stone from the fortification was robbed out long ago. The ground is littered with pottery ranging from Neolithic through Early and late Cycladic and later showing that this has always been a very, very important centre of occupation. Indeed the site is thought to be the location of the second archaic city of Mykonos (and there isn't even an interpretation board). Despite the gate, you can get into the site from up the road to the north and climbing the steep hill and over a couple of low walls. The views are really fabulous.
Behind the moanstery, between it and a small chapel in a tiny field is a 3m prehistoric menhir (standing stone). It is said to be a 'grave marker' but there is no evidence to support that theory and an excavation in the 19thC did not reveal any burial. It is interesting that this small ancient site aound the menhir now houses a monastery and two chapels. Just a little way up the hill is one of the small chapels next to the square fortified tower ruin and tiny house ruin (around which you can wander). Continue up the road to the top of the rise and the vista opens up with a tremendous view of the Gulf of Panaromos with the beach of Ftelia at it's S end. A little further on is the tiny chapel of Agios Philippos. Most people turn their car round here but don't be afraid of going on - eventually the tarmac will give way to a dirt road but it is a good hard dirt road before it goes back to tarmac, then hard dirt.
A little way further on the right you'll come to a pretty chapel with a very, very pretty small dovecote - look out for this as it is easy to miss.
Keep going and you'll be along the rarely visited W side of the Gulf of Panoramos with the odd luxury house and another small beautiful dovecote. You'll get to a fork in the road at the chapel of Panaghia Lemonitra. Left take you to the telephony tower dead end (great views but you will have to turn round just before the tower). Riught takes you down a rougher, but passable road to a wind turbine and a valley down to Fokos (I recommend you turn round here and don't take these rough roads). This entire valley is marked out for large luxury building plots and roads but the recession has halted construction.
So, a little visit to Paleokastro monastery could turn out to be be a good half day trip. Enjoy!
Behind the moanstery, between it and a small chapel in a tiny field is a 3m prehistoric menhir (standing stone). It is said to be a 'grave marker' but there is no evidence to support that theory and an excavation in the 19thC did not reveal any burial. It is interesting that this small ancient site aound the menhir now houses a monastery and two chapels. Just a little way up the hill is one of the small chapels next to the square fortified tower ruin and tiny house ruin (around which you can wander). Continue up the road to the top of the rise and the vista opens up with a tremendous view of the Gulf of Panaromos with the beach of Ftelia at it's S end. A little further on is the tiny chapel of Agios Philippos. Most people turn their car round here but don't be afraid of going on - eventually the tarmac will give way to a dirt road but it is a good hard dirt road before it goes back to tarmac, then hard dirt.
A little way further on the right you'll come to a pretty chapel with a very, very pretty small dovecote - look out for this as it is easy to miss.
Keep going and you'll be along the rarely visited W side of the Gulf of Panoramos with the odd luxury house and another small beautiful dovecote. You'll get to a fork in the road at the chapel of Panaghia Lemonitra. Left take you to the telephony tower dead end (great views but you will have to turn round just before the tower). Riught takes you down a rougher, but passable road to a wind turbine and a valley down to Fokos (I recommend you turn round here and don't take these rough roads). This entire valley is marked out for large luxury building plots and roads but the recession has halted construction.
So, a little visit to Paleokastro monastery could turn out to be be a good half day trip. Enjoy!
Written 12 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Antonis R
Athens, Greece22 contributions
Sept 2017
If you visit Mykonos , you have to visit the Monastery of Paleokastro if you are looking for something different except beaches and parties.
Written 4 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan V
Sofia, Bulgaria6,886 contributions
Sept 2020 • Friends
Absolutely pointless. Heavy road, all winds have meeting here, narrow crossroad, so ne can even hardly park and at the end the Gyzi tower appeared to be few scattered rocks behind a licked door, while the monastery didn't impressed with anything.
Written 10 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VicnJen67
Hamilton, New Zealand689 contributions
Sept 2016 • Family
We called in on the way to beautiful Lia beach. Take the road that goes inland to Ano Mea. Keep driving until you think you gave gone too far and you will drive past the rear of the monastery. Only£1 to get in. The interior of the actual church is richly decorated but still humble. We were blessed to be present for a naming ceremony. Walking around the inside of the enclosure shows the tiny rooms the monks live in and gives you a feeling for how the have existed for the last nearly 250 years. Fishermans Restaurant behind Monastery had best priced special we have found. €20 shared meal for two which with a couple of extra pita breads actually fed four. Greek salad, Gyro platter (rotisserie meats) and mousaka. Could not even eat the included dessert. Carry on to find Lia beach. Georgous.
Written 12 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adelaide
Issaquah, WA12 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
This church has precious views. Getting here is difficulty if you walk. Car park is non existent. Get yourself dropped off.
Written 4 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KatieScarlett1970
Arlington Heights, IL64 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
One of the few attractions in Ano Mera. You can pay to light a candle in the very ornate Orthodox Church. It would be nice if the one euro entrance fee included some information about the place. There is a museum on the second level. It was obviously very moving to some of the people there, as a woman left in tears after viewing.
Written 24 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lucycan
San Diego, CA3,607 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
This might be the best thing to see on Mykonos but since its not a beach or club I don't think a ton of people see it. From the outside it looks like a plain walled area but inside there is a church that is great to see as well as a very well cared for area that used to house monks. A must see for anyone!
Written 1 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vangelis P
Athens, Greece24 contributions
Jun 2017
One of the best historical places to visit in Mykonos. Peaceful, awe, picturesque! This monastery is a part of the island's history. There are two chapels. The temple and the icons are made by fine artists.
Written 26 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judith W
Frederick, MD106 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
The monastery Ano Mera was smaller than I had anticiated but I enjoyed seeing it. The chapel That is part of it is very ornate, and you can take photos with no flash. The monastery is peaceful and pretty. The town square is very small, where we had wine and Greek appetizers at a taverna after the tour. There are only two small kiosks to buy souvenirs so look for your souvenirs near the harbor of Mykonos where there are more and larger shops.
Written 20 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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