Greece’s beautiful roofless church, Panagia Kakaviotissa

Greece’s beautiful roofless church, Panagia Kakaviotissa

Greece’s beautiful roofless church, Panagia Kakaviotissa

The church of Panagia Kakaviotissa (Παναγιά Κακαβιώτισσα) has been named one of Greece’s most unique and beautiful churches.

Located on Lemnos island, in the North Aegean, it was named Kakaviotissa, after the mountain “Kakavos” upon which it is built.

Greece’s beautiful roofless church, Panagia Kakaviotissa

This Greek Orthodox church is famous for not having a roof and for being built inside a cave.

The hard-to-access location of the church in the midst of cliffs and on top of a mountain, was founded in 1,416 A.D. by some monks who managed to escape the Turkish invasion in Agios Efstratios island.

The church used to be a shelter for monks and hermits. The hidden gem has a striking location from where it offers an impressive view to the sea and the mountainside of Lemnos.

Greece’s beautiful roofless church, Panagia Kakaviotissa

Greece’s beautiful roofless church, Panagia Kakaviotissa

The best time to visit would be in the evening when the chapel is flooded by natural light. The chapel of Panagia Kakaviotissa celebrates on Tuesday after Easter. It requires a 20-minute walking through a dirt road from the end of the asphalt road, which is why this chapel is a frequent hiking destination on the island.

Greece’s beautiful roofless church, Panagia Kakaviotissa

You can access the church by walking through a path from the main road that leads to the top of the mountain.

The scenery and the view from the top are breathtaking and a must for spiritual enlightenment.

*More on GCT: Church of Agia Paraskevi in Chalkida is being restored
GCT Team

This article was researched and written by a GCT team member.

Copyright Greekcitytimes 2024