Byzantine monasteries and remote mountain churches reflect centuries of Orthodox Christian devotion across the Peloponnese's hills and valleys.
Within the ruins of Mystras, several monasteries remain active or preserved, including the Pantanassa Convent, still home to a small community of nuns, and the Metropolis (Cathedral of St. Demetrios), where Byzantine emperor Constantine XI was crowned in 1449. Faded but still vivid frescoes cover many interior walls, offering a rare, intact glimpse of late Byzantine religious art.
Hidden in the remote mountains of Arcadia, this UNESCO World Heritage temple is considered one of the best-preserved ancient Greek temples, notable for combining Doric, Ionic, and the earliest known Corinthian column in existence. Currently protected under a large tent while conservation continues, the temple's isolated setting far from any town is part of its striking appeal.
Built directly into a sheer cliff face above the Leonidio valley, this monastery appears to hang in mid-air when viewed from the road below. Founded in the 17th century around a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, it remains an active convent and a pilgrimage site, reachable by a dramatic winding road cut into the rock.
Tips for Religious Sites
- Dress modestly for monastery visits, shoulders and knees covered, wraps are sometimes provided at the entrance
- Bassae requires a detour on mountain roads, check opening days before making the trip