Kea Panagia Kastriani Monastery

Location: Otzias

The Monastery of Panagia Kastriani in Kea, Greece: The Monastery of Panagia Kastriani is located on the northern side of the island, 12 km from Ioulida, the capital of Kea. It is constructed on the location Kastri, which is why the monastery was named Kastriani. According to the local tradition, at around 1700 AD, few shepherds saw a light on top of Kastri hill and when they climbed up, they dug and found an icon of the Virgin Mary. On this spot, they built a small church that survives till today. In 1912, a larger church was also constructed that is the katholikon of the monastery till nowadays.

In the premises of the monastery, there is also a two-storey building with guest houses, cells, and auxiliary rooms. At the entrance of the monastery, which is colored in blue and white, there is a tall bell tower. The Monastery of Kastriani celebrates on August 15th with a large panigiri. Its location offers a breathtaking view to the Aegean Sea and the island of Andros.