Rhodes Monastery of Panagia Skiadeni

Location: Mesanagros

The Monastery of Panagia (Virgin Mary) Skiadeni lies on the south side of Rhodes, atop the tall mountain of Skiadi (shady place). It is said to have gotten its name because of its sunless location and is situated very close to the villages of Apolakkia and Mesanagros. The monastery houses a silver icon of the Virgin Mary and is inhabited by monks to this day.

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As the story goes, the monastery was first established by a group of three monks, who one day saw a bright light that led them to the icon of the Virgin Mary, which was located where the monastery now stands. Although they took the icon with them, the next morning it was gone, only to be found in the same place as the night before. The monks took that as a sign that the Virgin Mary wanted to stay in this place and that a monastery should be built around her. Opposite the monastery lies the islet of Petrokaravos, which tradition states was once a pirate ship that was petrified by the Virgin Mary when pirates attempted to steal her icon.

It is believed that the monastery was founded around 1200, however, the buildings that exist today date back to the 18th century. Preserved in the walls of Panagia Skiadeni are architectural elements and ancient marble that originate from the Sanctuary of the goddess Artemis. The church is single-aisled, cruciform, and features a two-story bell tower. Inside, the silver icon of Panagia Skiadeni resides. Legend has it that a knife was once stuck in the image of Panagia Skiadeni and she bled, resulting in a wound on her right cheek that remains visible today.

On the 8th of September, there is a great feast held at the monastery for the Nativity of Theotokos.