Tag Archives: Samos

Church of Panagia Spiliani is situated about 2 KM above Pythagorio. We went with a car, but we saw many tourists walking up from the town.

Panagia Spiliani, near Pythagorio

On the rock above the entrance, it is written “1677”. I presume that this refer to the year of foundation.

The wall of the cave is decorated with stucco.

Wall Relief of the Cave

And here it is written “1888”, which I guess is the actual year of the foundation of the current church.

Wall Relief with 1888 Inscription

Tradition says that this cave was used as a hideout during the Turkish occupation and the War of Independence.

This small blue building at the end is the actual church.

Cave Church

As you can imagine, inside the cave is pretty cool, almost chilly, even in the mid-summer.

There is also a large modern church just above the cave. There also is a small shop where you can buy, besides religious artifacts, drinks and snacks.

Modern Church of Panagia Spiliani

Another attraction of this place is the view. You can see below Pythagorio and the beach of Potokaki.

View from Panagia Spiliani

Bibliography

• Robin Barber, Greece (Blue Guide), London/ A&C Black, 2001 (revised reprint of the 1995 sixth edition), p. 687.

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 INDEX of Samos section

• SAMOS ISLAND
  • VATHY (SAMOS TOWN)
    • ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
    • KEDROS
  • PYTHAGORIO
    • CASTLE OF LOGOTHETIS
    • CHURCH OF METAMORPHOSIS
    • HELLENISTIC & ROMAN VILLA, LATE ANTIQUE BASILICA
    • HELLENISTIC GYMNASION, ROMAN BATHS & BASILICA
    • SANCTUARY OF ARTEMIS
    • TEMPLE OF APHRODITE
  • HERAION
  • MARATHOKAMPOS
  • KOUMEIKA & BALOS
  • POTAMI
  • KOKKARI
    • TSABOU BEACH
    • TSAMADOU BEACH

Very scarce trace of the Temple of Aphrodite in Pythagorio.

Temple of Aphrodite, Pythagorio, Samos

It is visible from the central street of Pythagorio town.

Temple of Aphrodite, Pythagorio, Samos

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Kédros is situated about 5km east of Vathý, and there are some villas and a hotel. As it is outside the bay of Vathý, water is clean and the people of Vathý come here to swim during the summer.

Kedros

There is also an organized beach.

This early Christian (4th century) baptismal fountain was found in Kedro.

Late Antique Baptismal Fountain, Kedro

It is round in shape, and there is a cross-shaped pool inside.

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Marathókampos (pronounced “Marathokabos”) is a large village on the south-west highland of the island. The place commands an excellent view on the southern coast of Samos. 

Marathokampos, Samos

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