ISLANDS A-Z	CRETE	CYCLADES	DODECANESE	EASTERN AEGEAN
IONIAN	SARONIC	SPORADES	MAINLAND	ABOUT US

Agios Panteleimon in Kalymnos

Above Elies and Panormos lies the Monastery of Agios Panteleimon, in a peaceful setting among the mountains. It is remarkably quiet here, and from the monastery grounds there are beautiful views down towards Panormos, Kantouni and the sea.

The monastery of Agios Panteleimon cave church on Kalymnos.

One of the churches in the monastery of Agios Panteleimon.

The monastery consists of several churches, but one of them in particular makes Agios Panteleimon special. It is built inside a natural cave and has no door. This doorless church is linked to an old local legend. It is said that people tried to install a door three times, but each time it disappeared. According to the legend, Agios Panteleimon did not want a door because he wished to be able to see the sea and his mother’s grave.

Monastery Agios Panteleimon cave church on Kalymnos lacks a door.

The missing door at Agios Panteleimon.

Whether the story is true or not perhaps matters less. In any case, it suits this unusual and atmospheric place perfectly, where the cave, the church and the views together create a setting quite unlike most other churches on Kalymnos. Agios Panteleimon is an important saint on Kalymnos, and every year on 26 and 27 July he is celebrated with a large religious festival at the monastery.

Agios Panteleimon monastery on Kalymnos is located in a cave and the church has no door.