Notre Spiliani, Rock Nisyros

The Monastery of Panagia Spiliani, Located in Nisyros Mandraki, on a large rock, height 30 m., the "oxo", as the locals call. The Catholic monastery, i.e. the temple is in a cave, so he took the name Spiliani. According to legend, the 1400 A.D., a farmer found a small picture of the Virgin Mary, which he was carrying in the Temple of Our Lady of Potamitissa. After some days the image disappeared to find then in a cave, on top of a large rock. So residents decided to build a church in the cave and place the image within this. The area was, at first, the image of the farmer called until today "Vretou".

To reach the holy cave you must climb 130 steps. Access is from the main road, in Lagadi area, Mandraki, near the Church of Potamitissa. The main temple is dedicated to the Assumption and the Chapel, located right, Agios Charalampos. You will see the wooden temple (1725) with images of Christ, the Virgin and Child, the Assumption and Saint Charalambous.

The miraculous image of Our Lady, It is coated with silver and has two sides. One part is the Virgin Mary holding the Christ and the other depicted St. Nicholas. It is crafted in the style of the Russian school and the left hand of the Virgin is painted, the small picture that had been discovered by the shepherd.

Celebrates the Assumption, at 15 August, with crowds of people to flock to the monastery. It is the largest festival of Nisyros is Mandraki. The celebration begins on the eve, 14 August and culminates in 15 August, day of celebration. The festival is set up in the main square, Square Ilikiomeni is said namely the forecourt Zisimopouleiou Theater.

The music is live and play local musicians who keep the traditional instruments of Nisyros, the violin, the zither and lute. The dance lasts until morning and see, residents of Nisyros, to dance in traditional costumes of the island, with breeches men and embroidered shirt women. Offered to all guests, chickpeas sauce, because fasting, salad and bread.

The ferry, when arriving at the port full of pilgrims from the Dodecanese, accustomed to whistling under his rock monastery, as a mark of respect to Mary and in return the greeting, locals hit the bells of the monastery. The monastery of Panagia Spiliani is male (information, tel. : 2242031125) and apart from 15 August celebrates the 10 February, to St. Charalambous.

OTHER FESTIVALS OF NISYROS

20 – 21 June, celebration Agios Nikitas, patron saint of the island, Mandraki.
30 June, Apostoli, in the village Pali.
22 – 23 August, at 9 days after the Assumption, Moni "Panagia Kera", in Emporio. In the yard of the monastery in huge tables with dishes that make the women of the island.
8 September, the Nativity of the Virgin, the Monastery of Panagia Potamitissa, in Emporio.
13 – 14 September, the feast of the Holy Cross, the homonym monastery, near the village Nikia.
25 – 26 September, the feast of St. John the Theologian, the monastery in Nikia.
7 – 8 November, the Archangels, in honor of the Archangel Michael, in Emporio.
21 November, to the Virgin Mary, in Nikia.

SAINT NIKITAS, The NISYRIOS

Agios Nikitas the Nisyrios, patron of Nisyros, It belonged to one of the most prominent families of the island. His father was taken to the Ottoman court, as a defendant. Fearing the death sentence, he changed faith and his family and became Muslims. They moved to Rhodes, where there Nikitas grew, named Mehmet. On the game, with other children, cried the "infidel" ie infidel. When he learned the reason for the so called it shocked, He abandoned his family and went to Chios, New Monastery, where ascetic. Tortured by the Turks for their faith and died, after many blows to the head, at 21 June 1732, at the age 16 years. Today Honest Kara St. Keep in Monastery Iviron.

ACCESS Nisyros

From the port of Piraeus, by boat Blue Star Paros, which connects Piraeus with the islands of Paros-Naxos-Astipalaia-Kalymnos-Kos-Nisyros-Tilos-Simi-Rhodes-Kastelorizo. speedboat DODEKANISOS EXPRESS unites, some days, Nisyros with the islands Rhodes-Halki-Tilos-Kos-Kalymnos. Finally, during the summer months, the ship 'Spiliani Lady ", joins with daily departures, Nisyros to Kardamena Kos. Kos offers International Airport "Hippocrates", with many flights charters, from abroad.

USEFUL ADDRESSES NISYROS

Municipality of Nisyros, Mandraki, tel.: 22420 31203, 2242031550

DIAKOMICHALIS TRAVEL-DIAKOMIHALIS TRAVEL, Mandraki, tel.: 2242031459, 6977735229,6932006894, 6932006894 G.A. Ferries, tel. : 2104582640, www.bluestarferries.com

DODECANESE SEAWAYS, www.dodecaneseseaways.com

Kos International Airport "Hippocrates", tel. : 2242056000, 2242051591, 2242051567