Monasteries from the Byzantine and post-Byzantine era
Mt. Hymettus features some of the most important monuments of the city of Athens, dating back to the Byzantine and post-Byzantine era. Five monasteries from these eras are situated on the mountain, three of which are still functioning and two are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture.
Of these five monasteries, two – those of Kaisariani and Asteri – now serve exclusively as archaeological sites, while the remaining three – Agiou Ioannou Kinigou, Agiou Ioannou Theologou and Agiou Ioannou Karea – are still being used as monasteries.
Apart from the aforementioned monasteries, there is also the monastery of Agiou Georgiou Koutalea or Koutala in Vironas. Additionally, in Kaisariani there are ruins of an Early Christian basilica, on which a middle Byzantine period church was built. Only a short distance away, there is also a well-preserved, single-nave church dating back to the rule of the Franks in Greece.
This church was named ‘Church of St. Markos’, while to the locals it is known as ‘Frangomonastiro’ (Frankish Monastery). Across from it, is the church ‘Taksiarhes’, which was built subsequently.
Also, of particular interest are the small chapels, landmarks for hikers and for the thousands of believers who climb Mt. Hymettus every year.
Monasteries from the Byzantine and post-Byzantine era
Mt. Hymettus features some of the most important monuments of the city of Athens, dating back to the Byzantine and post-Byzantine era. Five monasteries from these eras are situated on the mountain, three of which are still functioning and two are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture.
Of these five monasteries, two – those of Kaisariani and Asteri – now serve exclusively as archaeological sites, while the remaining three – Agiou Ioannou Kinigou, Agiou Ioannou Theologou and Agiou Ioannou Karea – are still being used as monasteries.
Apart from the aforementioned monasteries, there is also the monastery of Agiou Georgiou Koutalea or Koutala in Vironas. Additionally, in Kaisariani there are ruins of an Early Christian basilica, on which a middle Byzantine period church was built. Only a short distance away, there is also a well-preserved, single-nave church dating back to the rule of the Franks in Greece.
This church was named ‘Church of St. Markos’, while to the locals it is known as ‘Frangomonastiro’ (Frankish Monastery). Across from it, is the church ‘Taksiarhes’, which was built subsequently.
Also, of particular interest are the small chapels, landmarks for hikers and for the thousands of believers who climb Mt. Hymettus every year.