| |
 In 840 AC, the Mega Spileo Monastery was burnt down by a group of religious people, known as Iconomachs.
It was rebuilt in 1285 by the emperor Andronikos Paleologos but suffered many destroying fires along its history.
In fact, a fire in 1600 burnt down the valuable library of the Monastery which had many rare manuscripts. Another fire in 1934 destroyed some precious relics.0
Two years later, the Monastery was rebuilt but in 1943, it suffered another destruction: the Nazi German troops, after the massacre in Kalavryta, put the Monastery of Mega Spileo in fire and killed its twelve monks and its staff, either shooting at them or throwinf them from the above rocks. Some managed to survive, hidden in close caves, after they had taken some valuable icons with them.
 In our days, in spite of all these damages, the Monastery of Mega Spileo is a very imposing construction and has a 17th century church with remarkable frescoes, mosaic floors and a bronze door with relief decoration. The Monastery also hosts a museum that displays carved wooden crosses, antique manuscripts and Holy Gospels. A good number of its important relics are also kept in a special hall. The Monastery of Mega Spileo celebrates every year on August 15th, on the name day of the Virgin Mary, who is the protector of the Monastery.
 Monastery Of Mega Spileo Useful Links |
|
|
|
| Member's pictures of Monastery Of Mega Spileo
(5)
|
|
|
|
|
Back:
Kalavryta Related:
