Description of the attraction
Anafonitriyas Monastery is one of the most famous and popular attractions on the Greek island of Zakynthos. It is located about 25 km northwest of the island's capital of the same name, not far from Wolmes, next to the small village of Anafonitria.
The holy monastery was founded presumably in the 14-15th century during the reign of the Venetians on the island. Initially, the monastery was built in honor of the Mother of God Vrefokratuss, but later it was renamed, receiving its name in honor of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God Anafonitria, brought here from Constantinople, which was captured by the Turks in 1453.
The monastery is an important historical and architectural monument. This is one of the few structures on the island of Zakynthos that miraculously survived the catastrophic earthquake of 1953. To the right of the entrance can be seen an impressive defensive tower used today as a bell tower. In the center of the monastery complex there is a three-aisled basilica - the main catholicon with beautiful old frescoes, which, according to experts, are about 500 years old.
The monastery of Anafonitriyas is of particular importance to the inhabitants of Zakynthos. Here in the 16th century he spent the last years of his life and the patron saint of Zakynthos, Saint Dionysius, known for his generosity and good deeds, died. It is believed that it was here that Saint Dionysius met the murderer of his brother and, having absolved him of his sins, helped to leave for the island of Kefalonia. You can see the cell, where Saint Dionysius lived, and his personal belongings, perfectly preserved to this day.
