Moni Thari Church, Laerma, Greece

Reached through a forest, the domed church of Moni Thari was hidden from view in order to escape the attention of marauding pirates. According to legend, it was built in the 9th century by a mortally ill Byzantine princess, who miraculously recovered when it was completed.

The 12th-century north and south walls remain, and there are vestiges of the 9th-century building in the grounds. The nave, apse and dome are covered with frescoes. Some walls have four layers of paintings, the earliest dating as far back as 1100, while there are three layers in the apse dating from the 12th-16th centuries. These are more distinct, and depict a group of prophets and a horse’s head. The monastery has been extended and has basic accommodation for visitors.

References:

visitrhodes.com

Religious sites in Greece

User Reviews

Oliver (8 months ago)
Simple drive - worth the trip. Interesting to see the surrounding forest fire damage. Entry is free.

Murray Beattie (8 months ago)
Old, rustic, beautiful. Fantastic drive out to here, suggest going in the evening.

Inga Purviņa (11 months ago)
Recommend! An authentic place, a place where the soul rests! No need to buy tickets, donation to the monastery

Kohut András (2 years ago)
Incredible and beautiful place to visít. Even the road to this place was beautiful and interesting. Very recommended.

Nikola Dejanovic (2 years ago)
According to tradition, the monastery was founded by the daughter of a Byzantine emperor, a Byzantine Princess, who was plagued by a deadly illness and miraculously healed. The ship which transported her from Constantinople, traveled to the port of Lindos and from there she moved to the area of Tharrio. The water of the spring that was found there and the fresh air contributed to her recovery. In return for her healing, she erected the monastery. The fountain to be found today about 100m. southwest of the Katholikon and outside the precinct, is believed to be the same of which the princess was healed, and is considered as a holy water.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Andy Hay

Historic Site of the week

Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.

Moni Thari Church

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Argos Theater