Zakynthos Monastery of Ioannis Prodromos

Location: Alykes

Although a large part of it remained abandoned for several decades, the Post-Byzantine Monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos is one of the most important ecclesiastical monuments in Zakynthos. It is located in the area of Hartata and is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist.

The old monastery was built during the 16th century and was reconstructed in 1617. Its building complex consists of an abbey with seven cells, two churches and a tower that was constructed for defensive purposes.

An archival library was housed there before 1953, but an earthquake inflicted damage to a big part of the monastery. Luckily the church survived the earthquake and it is open to the public. Visiting the church, you will get to see precious religious artifacts, including icons made by important Greek painters and a hand-carved faldstool.