The Monastery of Kipoureon was founded in the 17th century by the Archbishop of Paxi Chrysanthos Petropoulos. Its name literally means monastery of the gardens due to the many gardens that the monks once cultivated to make their living. Today only one monk lives in the Monastery of Kipoureon, who welcomes visitors every day. Dedicated to the Holy Cross and the Annunciation of the Virgin, the monastery celebrates on March 25th and September 14th. Inside there is a wonderful collection of ecclesiastical relics and post-Byzantine icons.
The location of this monastery is amazing, as it has been constructed on top of a rock, 90 meters above the sea. The view to the Ionian Sea and the wild coastline is magnificent, which makes it a sight worth visiting if you are in the area.
The natural surrounding of the monastery is lush green and comprises of pine trees and fir trees. From the yard, visitors can enjoy a wonderful sunset to the Ionian Sea.
References:Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.
Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.
There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.