About Skiathos
Visiting and Holidaying in Skiathos
Visiting and Holidaying in Skiathos
A little less than 5km (by road) north of Skiathos Town is the Monastery of Evangelistria. Found high in the hills above Skiathos Town the monastery sits hidden by the surrounding woodland.
The Monastery of Evangelistria is one of the most popular religious, and historic tourist attractions on Skiathos island. Renowned for the part it played during the Greek War of Independence, the monastery is known as being the place where the first Greek flag was produced. as well as an impressive church, the monastery has a small museum that displays artifacts and historic information on the history of the Monastery and the lives of the monks, other residents and unexpected visitors over the years.
If you opt not to take a guided tour you can visit the
Monastery on your own, it's worth noting that depending
upon your status you may or may not need to pay an entrance
fee. Check the Greek Ministry of culture website link
here.
If you have your own transport, getting to the Monastery
is fairly simple, there is limited parking at the site but
you can park at the nearby church and walk down a small
lane. By Bus from the main
terminus in Skiathos Town is fairly straight forward, just
take care to note the bus timetable that should be available
at the terminus in Skiathos Town.
In 1807, the first Greek flag, (as it is today), was designed and woven.
A copy of the flag and the loom can be seen in the museum at the
monastery. The flag was blessed and raised by the then Father Niphon
who also swore in many of the Greek guerrilla leaders, following
the great assembly held at the monastery, when plans were being
made to liberate the (Greek) Nation.
One of the Monastery's newer projects, is the creation of a vineyard
for production of Alypiakos. The grape for this wine, a red Muscat
was first produced on the island of Skiathos in the 5th century
BC, and produced at the monastery many years ago, production then
lapsed for over 150 years, before the latest attempt to re-introduce
it.
The name of the wine is derived from Father Alypos, the fourth Abbot
of the Monastery after the death of Farther Niphon, Alypiakos wine
was claimed to be "suitable to relieve the sadness and worries of
this world." by Alexander Papadiamantis, in his tale "The Black
Ignoramuses". Production of the wine increases year on year, with
it being used within the Monastery and Church for religious occasions.
Today, the monastery is served by only two resident monks, others will assist in the day to day running of the church and monastery but they no longer reside there.
There is also a well documented walking route that will
take you away from the road, though woodland and fields
that are tended by the Monks. The monks from the monastery
and other churches on Skiathos produce their own wine,
olive oil, honey and as well as many other organic
products, some of which are sold to the Monastery visitors
at the shop.
Located in Agalianos next to the Lekhounio gorge, the construction of Panagia Evangelistria began in 1794 by a group of Kollyvados monks lead by an Ordained Monk, Nicholas, and included Gregorios Hatzistamatis, a local Monk who had inherited extensive property on Skiathos when his father died.