Naxos Monastery of Fotodotis

Location: Danakos

North of Danakos village is a short track road of one kilometer that leads to the Monastery of Fotodotis Christ. Its name means Christ who gives the light.

The building lies at an altitude of 500m, on top of a hill. Its location allows charming views of the neighboring Donoussa island and the cerulean Aegean waters.

DISCOVER NAXOS WITH OUR TOURS!
Book an unforgettable Tour in Naxos or get there with your own rental car.

There are different versions regarding the construction of the monastery; some believe that it was built by a Byzantine princess after she was saved from the rough sea, while others that it was built by empress Irene or the son of Alexios Komnenos in the 12th century when he returned from a military campaign as a winner.
It was later confiscated by the Latin conquerors and granted in 1227 by Marco Sanudo to Benedictine monks.
In the 16th century AD, the three-aisled basilica was turned into a domed church. Fortification walls were also constructed around the church, giving the monastery its present form. The architecture of it makes it look intensively like a fortress, while the interior presents fantastic frescoes dating from Medieval times.

In the yard stands a large plane tree, while the region is rich in oak trees, fig trees, and vineyards.

The Monastery of Fotodotis celebrates on August 6th and attracts many pilgrims from the nearby villages of Danakos and Filoti.

You can get there by car or on foot following the dirt road that starts at Agia Marina church (same starting point as for the path that leads to the summit of Mont Zas.)

How to get there

The Monastery of Christ Fotodotis is located in Danakos Village.

Private transfers: We recommend using an online pre-booked transfer service, which provides transfer by taxi, minibus, or private VIP car and arranging a pickup directly from the port, airport, or your hotel. Alternatively, there’s the option of arranging a pickup by a local driver directly at the following numbers: 0030 22850 25835, 0030 22850 24829, or booking your taxi online.

Car rental: Τhere's the option of renting a car and picking it up directly from the airport, port, or your hotel. Using a rental car allows visitors to discover the Monastery of Christ Fotodotis and many other places of interest at their own pace.

Public transport: The central bus station of the island is located at the Port of Naxos. There are buses from Chora to Danakos once a week. Consider that time schedules might change according to the season. Check the official timetables here.
Tip: Since buses don’t always stop at every scheduled stop of their itinerary, our advice to visitors is to inform the driver about their final destination in advance.