Kyra Panagia, also called Pelagie or Pelagonisi, is is located northeast of Alonnisos island. The islet belongs to the Megisti Lavra Monastery of the Autonomous Monastic State of Mount Athos since it was granted the island by the Byzantine emperor Nikephoros II Phokas in 963.Kyra Panagia is in Zone A of the Alonnisos Marine Park and is one of the places where the Mediterranean seal monachus moanchus lives safely. For access to the Zone A of the Park a ticket is necessary! Check on the websites for updated one is!
Nowadays the island has 3 permanent residents: the monk of the Monastery of the Nativity of the Virgin, along with two farm workers. It is predominantly covered with low Mediterranean vegetation and various shrub species, with the mastic tree, Arbutus unedo, heather, and strawberry trees reigning supreme. The landscape, in general, is hilly, with altitudes ranging from 169 to 302 metres.The island has two natural harbors, Planitis and Agios Petros, and one bay on the east side. The bay of Planitis in the northeast is one of the largest natural harbors in the Mediterranean. This bay is protected from all winds and it was used as a pirate shelter in the Middle Ages. The entrance, close to the rocky islet of Sfika, can be challenging with strong Northerly. Sailing into Planitis, it bifurcates into two smaller bays (the locals call them “Endexio” and “Dravi“). In Dravi, you’ll discover a small, picturesque pebble beach, marked by a characteristic stone at its centre. On the eastern coast of the island, there is the lovely bay of the Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery. The monastery was built on a small hill in 1100 AD and restored in 2017.Within the walls of the monstery is a picturesque church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The church is white-washed with red-painted borders and a nice belfry. There is also a lovely courtyard where early Christian remains are found from the 6th and 7th century A.D. It is a typical sample of an autonomous, post-Byzantine monastery which still provides the Monastery of Great Lavra with meat, oil and honey. The monastery of Kyra Panagia has become very popular with tourists and it is fascinating to see the still-existing remains of the old olive oil press and flour mill. The monastery organizes a religious festival to celebrate the Dormition of Virgin Mary on August 15th, and on the first weekend of every September when the monastery celebrates its feast day, Agios Petros bay in the southwest is naturally sheltered from the robust northerly winds, but affected by the west and southwest winds. Snuggled in its depths, a beach of white pebbles is cradled by azure waters. You can choose one of the three different coves to drop your anchor. The Byzantines used to anchor their boats in this bay, even today one of them still rests in the bottom of the sea, near the islet of Fagrou, at the entrance of the bay.
16 окт 2024
