Description of the attraction
One of the most famous temples of the island of Santorini (Thira) is the monastery of Elijah the Prophet. It is located 4 km south of the village of Pyrgos, on the highest point of the island (Mount Elijah the Prophet), at an altitude of 586 m above sea level.
The monastery of Elijah the Prophet is one of the oldest on the island and was built back in 1712 by monks from Pyrgos in the style of a fortress. In the first two centuries after its construction, the monastery played an important role in the economic, political and cultural life of the island. During the period of Ottoman rule, an underground school existed on the territory of the monastery, in which the Greek language and literature, which were forbidden at that time, were taught. Since 1860, the monastery gradually began to lose its former importance, and in 1956, as a result of a strong earthquake that shook the island of Santorini, was very badly damaged.
Today, the monastery houses a museum of religious art, which houses an excellent collection of unique icons and a variety of church relics. The monastery library also contains an excellent collection of rare manuscripts and old documents. In the museum, you can see models of the reconstructed premises of the underground school, the blacksmith's workshop and the traditional carpentry workshop.
The top of the mountain offers stunning panoramic views of the picturesque landscapes of Santorini and the surrounding islands, and on a clear sunny day, you can even see the peaks of Crete. Unfortunately, the top of the hill is also used today as a military base. Special equipment and barracks somewhat spoil the overall impression of the beautiful temple.
