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:The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.
The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.
The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.