Theoktistis Monastery in Ikaria

The Monastery of Theoktistis lies near the village of Pigi, in the mountains midway between Armenistis and Evdilos. The monastery is believed to have been founded by a monk from Lesvos already in the 15th century. At most a hundred monks lived here, how everyone found their space is a mystery, because it is not big. The monastery was abandoned in the 1980s when the last two monks moved out.

The church with two caps in the monastery of Theoktistis.

Where is it that is so special about Theoktistis Monastery? It is enough to look at the pictures to understand why. One of the monastery's two churches are built under two huge rocks that make the roof look like a cap, or two caps to be exactly.

The cap church in Theoktistis monastery.

In the past, there were many houses with caps on Ikaria when pirates were the worst in the area. The houses were hard to spot, and still are today. I have only discovered a few. Either there are only a few left, or they are well hidden. The houses are also called Anti-pirate houses. Ikaria's most famous pirate house is Theoktistis Monastery, but there are several more, which you can read about via the link at the bottom of the page.

You feel very small when you go into the church.

Most likely the church was built right here to avoid detection. (As if it was not enough that it was inaccessible.) A narrow small flight of steps leads up to a narrow little door, you have to duck to get into the church itself, the door is so small that I felt like a giant when I walked in the door of the tiny church.

What's hiding in there?

Do not miss this oasis, not only for the caps, the entire area breathes serenity and harmony. Here is a small café where you can sit down and wonder about the caps. The monastery is situated between Armenistis and Evdilos and is well signposted.

The peaceful monastery yard.

The small cafe in the monastery.

You also pass this cute church with a slate roof, which is common on Ikaria.

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