Moni Filerimou, Monastery in Ialisos, Greece

Moni Filerimou is a monastery on Mount Filerimos, near the village of Ialisos on Rhodes. The complex sits on a wooded hill and includes a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, several chapels, and a large cross that can be seen from afar.

The hill has been a place of worship since ancient times, with a temple to Athena and Zeus, later replaced by a Christian basilica. In the 14th century, the Knights of Saint John built a monastery, which was abandoned after 1523 and later restored under Italian rule in the early 20th century.

The monastery celebrates its feast on the Friday after Easter, when locals gather for a service and a small market. The icon of the Virgin is said to have performed miracles, and copies of it can be seen in many homes on the island.

The site is open to visitors during the day in summer, while in winter it is best to call ahead. Wear comfortable shoes because the ground is uneven and there are steps to climb.

A stone path lined with fourteen stations of the cross leads to a giant cross that was rebuilt in the 1990s after being demolished during World War II. The original cross was taken down because it served as a landmark for Allied pilots.