Agios Minas monastery, Chios, Orthodox monastery in Neochori, Greece
Agios Minas monastery sits on a hillside near Neochori, featuring a central stone church surrounded by residential quarters for the nuns. The compound shows typical Orthodox architecture with thick stone walls arranged around interior courtyards.
Construction of the monastery took place between 1572 and 1595 under Reverend Neofitos Koumanos and his son. In 1822, approximately 3,000 people were killed when they sought refuge here during Ottoman raids.
The nuns living here practice religious icon painting and create liturgical vestments as part of their daily spiritual life. These traditional crafts form the living heart of Orthodox practice within the monastery.
The site welcomes visitors year-round, though you should be prepared for uneven ground and stairs throughout the compound. A memorial in the courtyard displays the remains of victims and deserves respectful attention during your visit.
The stone floor of the church still shows visible bloodstains from people who sought shelter during the 1822 massacre. These marks serve as a quiet reminder of the tragedy that unfolded within these walls.
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