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Karies
- Panagia Kourna - Agios Markos - Nea Moni - Agioi Pateres
- Avgonyma - Anavatos
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Nea Moni
Monastery |
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The way west of Hora to Nea
Moni is continually upward. On the outskirts of the
city, we come to a rather newly - built monastery of Virgin
Mary, named "Voithia" (Holy Help) founded in 1925.
The nuns in it make wonderful craftworks and embroidered pieces.
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A little further up, the road crosses Karies village
(650 inhabitants, at 6 km from Hora). The village is famous
for its excellent springs of fresh water, as well as for
the panoramic views to Chios and the shores of Asia Minor
opposite. Still further up, the road meets Kourna, on the
left, a small monastery of no particular importance.
From that point on there are continual forests of pine trees
on the Provation mount. On the left, along an upward difficult
way, one can visit the place where Agios Markos
lived as a hermit. Now, a small monastery exists there,
founded in 1700 with later extensions built around it. The
view from here is also excellent
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Further on, to the west, in about the middle of the island,
is Nea Moni, about 15 km from Hora.
Nea Moni is the most important monument of the island, and
also one of world-wide importance.
Its architecture and reliefs place it among the most important
byzantine churches in Greece.
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Mosaic
of Nea Moni |
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Tradition, as well as scientific research, have proved
that Nea Moni was a church built by a Byzantine emperor.
The architectural technique confirms that, so the monastery
represents the artictic tendency of the 11th century more
than anything else in Greece.
Nea Moni was founded in 1043 by the Emperor Constantine
the Duellist and its contruction lasted 12 years. However,
its decline started during the 19th century, due to financial
problems at first and its destruction later by the Turks
in 1822, when it was invaded by the occupants who slaughtered
the monks together with a few civilians who had tried to
protect them. The last straw was the terrible earthquake
of 1881. The dome, the belfry and the vault of the church
collapsed and many of the wonderful mosaics were damaged.One
kilometre after Nea Moni one can visit another monastery,
that of Agioi Pateres.
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In the
central square of Avgonyma is "Pyrgos" restaurant
where you can find traditional food and hospitality.
"Pyrgos" rooms provide a beautiful and comfortable
stay as they are full equipped with kitchen, fridge, bathroom
, etc.
Peter Dellios
Avgonyma - Chios, Tel: 0271 - 42175, 21971
www.chiosnet.gr/pyrgos
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Anavatos |
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At about 2 km before
reaching Nea Moni, there's another road on the right leading
to Avgonyma through a small forest. It is a very old and isolated
village behind the mountains, which offers an excellent view
to the west shores of Chios. |
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After Avgonima the road turns north and leads to Anavatos
(4 km further on). This village was built on a high rock,
with a steep cliff to the south - west and with only one
point to reach it from the north. Houses are built of grey
stone, well - kept enough to create a unique picture of
a dead - village, standing in imposing and wild surroundings.
It is rightfully called the Aegean Mystras.
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