Monastery of Prophet Ilias

• Monastery of Prophet Ilias

  The Monastery of Prophet Elias in Santorini: The Monastery of Prophet Elias is built on the highest peak of Santorini, at 565 meters above the sea. This Monastery is one of the oldest of Santorini as it was built in 1712. It is found between Pyrgos and Kamari villages and the road passes through rocky landscapes and vineyards. Trekking there is a nice experience as you can enjoy all the natural beauty of Santorini. In the first two centuries of its construction, this monastery played a major role in the economic and cultural life of the island.
  
  Built in the style of a fortress, the monastery used to owe a ship in the 18th century, which carried out trade business with the rest of the Aegean and the Mediterranean, bringing prosperity to the Monastery. In the first half of the 19th century, it ran a school of Greek language and literature. The monastery started to decline in the 1860s and suffered much destruction in the strong earthquake that hit Santorini in 1956.
  
  Today the Monastery of Prophet Elias hosts an important collection of rare ecclesiastical items, hand-written books and Byzantine icons. It also has workshops on printing, shoemaking and candle making. The monks also deal with wine making. From the yard of the Monastery, you get excellent and breathtaking views of the whole island of Santorini.