Church of Panagia Asinou

The church of Panagias Forviotissas, better known as Panagia Asinou, is built southwest of Nikitari village. It is the main church of the Monastery ton Forvion, from where its name comes. In an inscription dated around 1105/6 located above the southern entrance of the church, it is reported that the founder of the Monastery was the magistrate Nikiforos Styrios, who later became the monk, Nikolaos. The founding of the Monastery dates back to 1099 and continued to operate during the Ottoman domination until the end of the 18th century when it was abandoned.

The church consists of two parts: the one-aisled vaulted ceiling and the narthex, which was added in the second half of the 12th century. The lateral walls of the narthex end in an arch, which are considered to be an influence of Constantinople. Already in the 12th century the church was covered with a second wooden roof, laid on flat, tiled roofs. Nowadays no traces remain from the rest of the monastic buildings.

The church celebrates on Easter Tuesday, and since 1985 it has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Tel.: +357 99 83 03 29
Working hours:
Daily
09: 30-17: 00 (May-August)
09: 30-16: 30 (September-October)
09: 30-16: 00 (November-April)

Location

Churches

image-footer