Elonas Monastery

The monastery is near Leonidio and is built into a steep cliff on the slopes of Mount Parnon. The whole area is part of the Natura 2000 network, featuring rivers, gorges, mountains and lakes. The monastery is an important pilgrimage site as the icon of the Virgin Mary is considered to have performed miracles.

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The monastery is located near Leonidio and is a breath-taking site, built into a steep cliff above the Dafnonas ravine. Scholars say that it dates back to the 16th century, although other sources say it was founded in 1300. The main church dates from 1809 and has a 19th century wood-carved iconostasis.

The buildings suffered considerable damage during the Turkish occupation, and were destroyed in 1770. However, the monastery was rebuilt and played an important role in the 1821 Greek War of Independence. It is an important pilgrimage site, as the icon of the Virgin Mary is considered to have performed miracles and thousands of believers from Kynouria and other regions gather at the monastery for the great feast of the Virgin Mary on the fifteenth of August. There are also celebrations and religious events in Leonidio on November 21 to mark the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. 

The Elonas Monastery is within the 70,000 hectares which were included in the Natura 2000 network in 2016. It is mostly limestone rocky ecosystems, with Kefalonian Firs growing on the highest points. The Dafnonas river ravine runs below the monastery through some beautiful countryside and is a lovely place to go walking. It is also an important habitat for birds and has many species of endemic plants -several of which are rare.

Location

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