Churches & Monasteries

Delve into the religious heritage
of North Evia

Saint David Monastery

At a close distance from Rovies, at the crossroads near the main road Kerasia – Istiea, is situated the famous male monastery of Saint David. It is famous in Evia and also in Greece and was built on a beautiful spot, with natural beauty of trees and water springs. The monastery was founded in 1550 and has very rare hagiography as well, as historical relics there are exhibited in the monastery’s museum. The monks are very hospitable with the visitors, and offer local fruits and products. Most visitors attend the spectacular celebrations on the 6th of August of the metamorphosis of Sotiros and the memorial on November 1st of osios David.

Hrysovalantou Monastery

This is the monastery of Saint Irene Hrysovalandou, a newly founded monastery, situated on a green slope. The view from here is magical, while in the tranquil atmosphere in the monastery you can take a rest and meet the monks. While driving on the road Aidipsos – Rovies, you will find the cross road with the road that leads to the monastery after a 2km drive.

Saint George-Ilia

The story about Saint George Monastery is lost in the depths of the centuries. It is built near or on an ancient temple, that of Apollo-Helius. That area also included the Oracle of Apollo of Sellinountios. The Monastery was transferred to its present position just a little bit over Loutra Aidipsos and at a distance of 13 km from Aidipsos village. At the former location of the monastery there is a small church dedicated to Saint George. Having been located at a site of such amazing natural beauty, with a soil so fertile and with an extensive estate in its possession, the Monastery went through many disasters during the times of the Ottoman Empire. The last time it was hit was in 1821, when many of its precious relics and sacred heritage items were destroyed. The current convent of Saint George at Ilia, which is catered only for women, is extremely beautiful and most interesting in terms of its church relics. It is indeed worthy visiting this monastery and its surrounding area.

Galataki Monastery

This is the monastery of Saint Nikolaos, known as well as Galataki Monastery. It was built in the 15th century, and it is one of the oldest monasteries in Evia and Greece in general. It is 12 km from Limni and it is situated 200 meters above the sea on the face of a cliff overlooking the Evian Straits. In its original form and up until 1946 it was run by Priests of the Highest order and since then has now been given over to Nuns. At the court yard are pieces of an ancient temple of Posidon, while in the same area is a Venetian tower, which according the traditional tales, was built by the old Saint David. Very near to the monastery, on a rocky area, is the ascetic cave of Saint Andreas (Andrew).

Monastery of Saint Ioannis the Russian

At the village Prokopion, which is about 40 km from Rovies, you can pray at the Church of Saint Ioannis the Russian. The Church was built by Hellenic refugees from Kapadokia in the middle East, who brought his holy body which is now lying in state enclosed in a glass casing for visitors to worship. The Church was once destroyed by the Turkish and restored in 1877. Thousands of pilgrims and other travelers visit this spectacular church every year. The name of St.Ioannis is celebrated each year on the 27th of May.