Kythnos Churches

Kythnos like every Cycladic island has a history which is closely linked to their temples of worship. Religious faith is shown by the 130 chapels that are scattered throughout the island. The best known churches, chapels and monasteries that are in Kythnos, are presented alphabetically below.

Agia Calliope - Kanala: The church is located on the edge of the promontory where the Monastery of Panagia Kanala is to be found. It is situated on the seafront overlooking Serifos. The colors that decorate the church are particularly strong and unusual.

Agia Triada - Kythnos Hora: The Cathedral of Hora the capital. A Byzantine domed church (Basilica), of great historical value as it is the oldest temple of Kythnos. The Holy Trinity is located in the village of Chora, where the surrounding walls have preserved ancient inscriptions and sculptures. The day of Pentecost on May 27 is when the temple is honored.

Agii Akindini - Merichas: (Akindynos, Anembodistos, Afthonios, Elpidoforos and Pigasios) are the five martyrs that are considered protectors of ports and ships. Merichas honors their memory majestically on 2 November. A big festival is held in the harbor that day.

Agios Georgios - Katakefalo: One of the oldest temples of Kythnos. It was once a Catholic monastery. Saint George is located within the Venetian Castle, in the area of Kefalos, the northern part of the island. The church of Saint George is the only one that preserves old frescoes. Although not in the best condition, they are nonetheless remarkable.

Agios Minas - Dryopida: Temple with probably the best wooden temple trellis of all the churches of Kythnos. A great work of art, which has an elaborate epitaph combined with the despotic throne evoking the admiration of visitors.

Agios Nikolaos - Location of Skilou (Dog): A Picturesque church at the southern end of Skilou beach.

Agios Savvas - Chora: The church is located within the village. A reddish inscription high above, just at the entrance of the church indicates the year 1613 when it was built, along with the old inscription and the coat of arms of A. Gazanidou.

Agios Stefanos - Agios Stefanos Location: One of the most picturesque churches of Kythnos. Located at the southern end of the beach of the settlement, it lends a most beautiful touch to the landscape. Next to the church a well and garden the locals take care of throughout the year.

Agios Sostis - Area of Agios Sostis: A picturesque church located at the eastern end of the bay of Agios Sostis. Access to the church is via a path that starts from the beautiful beach of the area and takes about 7 minutes.

Panagia Kanala - Kanala: This is the most important church of Kythnos built in 1869. It is located in the homonymous village Panagia Kanala and among the most popular pilgrimage sites of the prefecture of the Cyclades. Thousands of visitors come to see the miraculous image of the Virgin up close in the great temple. According to legend it was found in the channel between in the channel (canal - canala), between Kythnos and Serifos which gave the name to the church and thus the village. The miraculous icon was painted in 1575 by Emmanuel Skordilis and belongs to the works of the Cretan School. Every year on August 15th there is a procession of the icon, followed by a presentation of the finding the icon by fishermen. The day continues with one of the largest festivals held on Kythnos.

Virgin Stratilatissa - South of Dryopida: The church of Panagia is situated in a quiet location outside settlements about 3.5 km from Dryopida towards Kanala. Inside you can admire a set of exquisite icons on the iconostasis.

Virgin of Flampouriani - Flampouria: The jewel of the settlement. On the big rock that divides Flampouria beach in two lays the church of Panagia Flampouriani. Footprints from the beach to the church are clearly visible and the popular version of tradition is that these are the Virgins footprints. Considered one of the major attractions of religious tourism.

Virgin Nikous - Kythnos Chora: One of the most beautiful churches on the island. It is located on the edge of the village of the Chora of Kithnos which belongs chronologically to the Byzantine churches.

Stavros - Loutra (Baths): A beautiful church on the road to Agia Irini (Saint Irene). The view is truly special due to its closed coastline that forms the bay of Loutra (Baths). The Church celebrates the day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 14.

Sotiras - Hora (Savior): A church dedicated to Christ with a magnificent wooden temple trellis from the 17th century. The image of Christ dominates, a work of art by the famous painter Skordilis.

OLD MONASTERIES

All the monasteries of Kythnos were in operation until 1833 when they were prohibited by law of the then Bavarian government.

Monastery of St. George in Katakefalo: An inactive monastery on the road to the ancient castle of Oria. The custom of the church was to build monasteries on ancient Greek places of worship is presented well here. One needs only a 20 minute walk along the trail to the monastery and the old church of St. George.

Monastery of Panagia Nikous: Located in the town of Kythnos and easily accessed by foot. It is on the opposite side of the parking lot, so to visit it, a short walk (less than a kilometer) is necessary. Sometimes people get temporarily lost in the alleys of Hora until they find it. The fastest way to find it however remains to ask the locals.

Monastery of Prodromos in Hordaki: The monastery housed women and like the rest, stopped working in 1833. It was considered the most active in service since it also had the largest population of monks from all the monasteries of Kythnos.

Monastery of the Archangel in Velidi: