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In its heyday, this monastery housed over 150 monks. It served as a Greek learning centre during the Ottoman occupation (when formal Greek education was prohibited and monasteries often served as secret Greek schools).
Situated near the village of Dafia, it has also functioned as an Orthodox Church retirement centre.
When we visited we got the impression that the monastery had been almost forgotten – apart from the occassional tourist that wanders through.
However we have sinced learned that the place is still an important spiritual center on the island with a museum, a library and social services, and that overnight stays are possible.
Maybe it’s a long bow to draw, but perhaps places like this could play a role in assistance to the large number of refugees that are coming to the island from conflicts in the Middle East. Of course, they may be already doing that. If you have further information about this, leave a comment below.
Skiathos is a small Greek island with some historical significance – it was here in 1807 that the blue and white Greek flag was first flown. The ceremony took place at the Evangelistria Monastery which is about 10 minutes out of town (or around 2 hours if you walk).
It’s worth all the steps up to the Molyvos Castle. Besides the view, you pass a lot of shops on the way up.
Mytilini, the capitol of Lesbos is situated on a harbour that is circled by shops, houses, restaurants, churches and a huge castle.
You can see Australian native animals at The Healesville Animal Sanctuary – an amazing place a couple of hours drive from Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. Here you will experience up-close encounters with a range of Australian wildlife, including kangaroos, dingoes, koalas, birds, snakes, and the strange platypus.
The Stick Shed in Murtoa is a second World War grain storage area so unique that it has pride of place on the Australian Heritage Register. Who would have thought there would be a forest of mountain ash trees in the Wimmera.
Lake Tyrrell, Victoria’s largest salt lake. The lake is famous for its sky reflections when it is filled with water (it’s called a sky mirror) so the best time to visit is during the July/November period.