Nea Moni (Νέα Μονή, "New Monastery") is one of the most important Byzantine monuments in Greece and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990. Built in 1042 by Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos, it sits at 350 metres altitude in the forested mountains 15 km west of Chios Town. The monastery was built in gratitude to three monks who reportedly found a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary on the site. Emperor Constantine funded the construction lavishly, and the monastery became one of the richest and most artistically important in the Byzantine Empire. Its crowning glory is the mosaics inside the Catholicon (main church). Dating from the 11th century, they are considered among the finest examples of middle Byzantine mosaic art in the world. The gold and coloured glass tesserae depict scenes from the life of Christ with extraordinary refinement. Nea Moni was devastated twice: first by Ottoman forces in 1822, when monks were massacred during the Chios Massacre; then by a catastrophic earthquake in 1881. The ossuary beside the monastery contains the skulls of those killed in 1822 — a sobering reminder of the island's turbulent history. The monastery still functions today, with a small community of nuns. Modest dress is required (shoulders and knees covered — fabric wraps available at entrance).
Local Tips
Combine with nearby Anavatos ghost village (30 min drive). Modest dress is mandatory — cover shoulders and knees. The monastery provides fabric wraps at the entrance if needed. The 15 km mountain road from Chios Town is narrow in places — take it slowly. No food or café on site, so bring water.
Reviews (2)
Çeşme'den Ferrylines ile yalnızca 17 dakikada Sakız'daydık. Nea Moni manastırı gerçekten nefes kesici — mozaikler inanılmaz derecede iyi korunmuş. Dağlardaki konumu da çok etkileyici. Yanında Anavatos hayalet köyünü de görün.
The 11th-century gold mosaics inside the main church are extraordinary. They survived centuries and two disasters (1822 massacre, 1881 earthquake). The ossuary is sobering and important. A must for anyone interested in Byzantine art.