Sifnos Monastery of Panagia Vounou

Location: Platys Gialos

The Monastery of Panagia Vounou (the Virgin Mary of the Mountain) is located 5.5 km north of Apollonia, on a cliff overlooking the scenic bay of Platis Gialos. It dates to 1813 and is thought to have been partly built with materials from an older temple. The construction of the church was made possible thanks to the donations from Sifnians who migrated from Constantinople.

The monastery has three separate altars, dedicated to the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, Saints Constantine and Helen, and Saint Nicholas. The church boasts a fantastic white exterior, while visitors can see the sacred icon of the Virgin Mary holding infant Jesus inside. The spacious courtyard features stone-built benches, pine trees, and colorful flowers. This is the perfect spot for taking in the wonderful ambiance of the monastery, punctuated by the wonderful views of the glistening Aegean Sea.