Monastery of Panagia Kremasti

The Monastery of Panagia Kremasti is one of the most well-known Greek monasteries, both because of its location and because of the tradition that follows it. The monastery is built at an altitude of 207 meters and from a distance, it really looks like it is hanging from the cliff. It stands imposing on the steep slope and provides a breathtaking view.

It is said that around the 17th century, some locals had noticed an eerie light coming from a certain part of the mountain. So they decided to lower a man tied with a rope down the slope, so he could see what was happening. What he discovered was the icon of the Virgin Mary, floating in a cave. The icon was transported to a safe place and to honor the Virgin Mary, they decided to build a church. However, due to the anomalous ground on the steep slope where the icon was discovered, the locals though it would be impossible to build anything. Then, according to tradition, the icon suddenly disappeared. A few days later, while the locals searched for the icon in vain, the eerie glow that led them to it initially, reappeared on the mountain. The icon had returned. The locals thought it was a sign and so decided to build the church on the slope, no matter how steep it was, no matter how many difficulties they encountered, as this was the will of the Virgin Mary. This event is what gave the monastery the name “Kremasti” (hanging).

The Monastery, which accommodates nuns, is celebrated on August 23. The celebrations attract hundreds of pilgrims every summers, who come from every corner of Greece to venerate the icon of the Virgin Mary, and to admire the magnificent landscape surrounding the church.