Monastery of Paleokastritsa

Title:	Monastery of Paleokastritsa
Category:	Sightseeing
Clicks:	2
Listing added:	Nov 18, 2010
PageRank:	0/10
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Location:	ROOT
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The Theotokos Monastery was founded in the 13th century, but there is little to been seen today which is more than 200 years old. Inside however, the modern building is an excellent example of Greek monastic architecture.There is an arched inner courtyard, and a small museum with Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons.The view from the Monastery is superb, with in the foreground the boat of Odysseus (Kolovri).

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Full Description:	Daily 7am-1 pm & 3-8pm free, donations welcome. On the rocky promontory above the beaches, the beautiful, whitewashed Paleokastritsa monastery (also known as the Theotokos monastery) is believed to have been established in the thirteenth century, though the current buildings date from the eighteenth. It is still home to seven monks The small monastery church has a number of impressive icons, including depictions of Saint George and the dragon and an atmospheric Last JudQement, while the ceiling features a woodcarving of the Tree of Life and a centrepiece painting of the Holy Trinity. The main panels of the iconostasis show a lifesize Christ, with SS Chrysostomos to the left and Spyridon to the right. On the same upper level there is also a museum (same hours), resplendent with further icons, most notably a beautiful Dormitiorr of the Virgin Mary, jewel-encrusted sil ver-bound Bibles and other impedimenta of Greek Orthodox ritual, as well as a curious "sea monster", with very large vertebrae and tusks, said to have been killed by fishermen in the nineteenth century. The monks' humble cells and a wishing well - now accepting euros - complete the upper level. The cooler lower level, where a welcome breeze flows through the stone arches, contains an oil-press and the main monastery shop, selling homemade wine and oil, as well as books and the usual reproductions of icons and religious paraphernalia. The real highlight, however, are the beautiful paved gardens, a rich palate of bougainvillea, geraniums, marigolds and vines, affording spectacular views over the coastline. The oddest object, for a place of worship and reflection, is the jet-black cannon, ominously placed ten metres from the entrance.
Website or page:	http://www.gotopaleokastritsa.com
ZIP:	49083
Country:	Greece
City:	Corfu
Address:	Paleokastritsa
Latitude:	39.66958958988
Longitude:	19.70161257406616