See Also
- Top Hotels in Santorini
- Top Eating places in Santorini
- Best Hotels for Families in Orlando
- Travel guide covering Santorini
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Profitis Ilias Monastery
Many churches of varying sizes, from humble chapels to sizable monasteries, are scattered across the island of Santorini. One of the oldest religious sites on the island is Profitis Ilias Monastery, an important landmark for Greek Orthodoxy.
Situated at the peak of Mount Profitias Ilias on the southeastern side of Pyrgos, approximately three to four kilometers from the town center. Mount Profitis Ilias rises five hundred sixty-seven meters above sea level and is the highest point of the island. To arrive here, motorists can drive up from the main road in Pyrgos heading southeast. Additionally, hiking travelers can reach the Monastery via a two and a half kilometer trail from Pyrgos` central square.
Accessing the drive up to the top of the mountain is by an enduring, winding, and fairly narrow paved road with steep drops nearby. The drive sounds more formidable than it is – simply operate vehicles prudently and all will be well; the calm and natural magnificence seen from the highest point more than compensates for the journey. Santorini can experience strong breezes, and on some days the winds are truly powerful up high. However, you are also gifted with unbelievable, unblocked 360° vistas of the Aegean Sea, sunsets, and all of Santorini – from Akrotiri in the south to as far as Oia in the north. The mountain appears bare from below, but there are plenty of shrubs, flowers and bushes which have been planted there, such as over 700 olive trees.
The religious building has been located in a sturdy, defensively designed stone structure since 1711 when two brothers from Pyrgos established it. It was recently restored after serious harm from the 1956 earthquake. It has played an important cultural and social role in the island community`s life, establishing the Greek Orthodox school in Santorini in 1806, providing goods and services to the public school, and caring for those lacking resources and funding many acts of charity.
There are daily evening prayers (esperinos in Greek) from 5pm to 6:30pm for those interested in hearing a Greek Orthodox church service. A great time to visit is on July 20th, the feast day of Saint Elias, when locals flock to the monastery for the big esperinos and the vigil that ensues.
A small gifts emporium on the square adjacent to St. Nektarious church markets traditional items handcrafted by the monks.
Profitis Ilias Monastery Hours and Information
- Season: Open year-round.
- Hours: Open daily from 9am until sunset. Closed on Sundays but the splendid views still merit the drive up.
- Website: thesvitis.blogspot.com
- Situation: Mount Profitis Ilias in Pyrgos, Santorini 847 00
- Telephone: +30 228 603 1210
- No admission charge. Free entrance.
- Bus: There is no bus transport from Pyrgos that goes all the way to the top of the mountain.
- Parking: Abundant free parking is accessible outside the monastery gates.
Profitis Ilias Monastery
