The Monastery of Agia Moni was built on a mountain above the village of Diakofti, at an exceptional location that allows visibility to the whole island and the sea, up to the coast of Peloponnese on the mainland.
The monastery's history begins in 1767, when a shepherd discovered an icon of Virgin Mary at this location. The icon was believed to be miraculous since it survived a natural disaster that affected the whole area and for this reason, the construction of a monastery dedicated to Mary began shortly after, on top of the ruins of a much older chapel.
In 1840, the monastery and the basilica were reconstructed with the assistance of the war hero Theodoros Kolokotronis who undertook this task to show gratitude to Virgin Mary for winning the war. A few years later, in 1848, the church's bell tower was constructed.
The monastery has many cells that were used not only by the monks but also to offer hospitality to visitors who went there to stay for a fortnight in order to fast and pray, from August 1st to August 15th, according to the custom of Dekapentismos.
The church celebrates every year on August 6th and it is open to visit at almost any time of the year. In its interior, you will get to see the silver-coated icon of Virgin Mary, as well as a hand-carved wooden altarpiece.
References:Kakesbeck is one of the largest medieval fortifications in Münsterland and the oldest castle in Lüdinghausen. The imposingly grown complex originated in 1120 as a motte, a small hilltop tower castle. After numerous changes of ownership, the castle was extended onto two islands, but it was not until the 14th century that it underwent significant alterations and extensions under the von Oer family. The estate experienced its heyday in the middle of the 18th century, when it covered an area of almost one square kilometre and consisted of five further outer castles in addition to the core castle, which were secured by ramparts and moats.
The well-maintained condition of the castle today is thanks to the late Wilfried Grewing, the former lord of the castle. The foundation named after him has been particularly committed to preserving the property since 2020.