Moni Thari Church, Laerma, Greece

Reached through a forest, the domed church of Moni Thari was hidden from view in order to escape the attention of marauding pirates. According to legend, it was built in the 9th century by a mortally ill Byzantine princess, who miraculously recovered when it was completed.

The 12th-century north and south walls remain, and there are vestiges of the 9th-century building in the grounds. The nave, apse and dome are covered with frescoes. Some walls have four layers of paintings, the earliest dating as far back as 1100, while there are three layers in the apse dating from the 12th-16th centuries. These are more distinct, and depict a group of prophets and a horse’s head. The monastery has been extended and has basic accommodation for visitors.

References:

visitrhodes.com

Religious sites in Greece

User Reviews

Oliver (6 months ago)
Simple drive - worth the trip. Interesting to see the surrounding forest fire damage. Entry is free.

Murray Beattie (6 months ago)
Old, rustic, beautiful. Fantastic drive out to here, suggest going in the evening.

Inga Purviņa (9 months ago)
Recommend! An authentic place, a place where the soul rests! No need to buy tickets, donation to the monastery

Kohut András (2 years ago)
Incredible and beautiful place to visít. Even the road to this place was beautiful and interesting. Very recommended.

Nikola Dejanovic (2 years ago)
According to tradition, the monastery was founded by the daughter of a Byzantine emperor, a Byzantine Princess, who was plagued by a deadly illness and miraculously healed. The ship which transported her from Constantinople, traveled to the port of Lindos and from there she moved to the area of Tharrio. The water of the spring that was found there and the fresh air contributed to her recovery. In return for her healing, she erected the monastery. The fountain to be found today about 100m. southwest of the Katholikon and outside the precinct, is believed to be the same of which the princess was healed, and is considered as a holy water.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

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Moni Thari Church

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