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.
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.
And here it is written “1888”, which I guess is the actual year of the foundation of the current church.
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.
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.
Another attraction of this place is the view. You can see below Pythagorio and the beach of Potokaki.
Bibliography
- Robin Barber, Greece (Blue Guide), London/ A&C Black, 2001 (revised reprint of the 1995 sixth edition), p. 687.
Go to Index of Samos Section