On the hill of Arkoudila, near Lefkimmi, is located the Monastery of Panagia of Arkoudila. It is said that the monastery was founded by the sister of the noblewoman who also built the monastery of Kyra tis Kokkinada (16th century). According to other sources the monastery was built by the sons of Varlaam Kapodistria together with the neighboring one of Our Lady of the Angels around 1700. The construction, with battlements and walls, must have been completed in 1710. Near the temple there was a tower building, the so-called Duris, where the monks fled to escape the pirate raids while next to the bell tower there was a staircase that communicated with Duris via a movable door. It is also said that there was an underground passage leading to the sea. Until the end of the 19th century, the Monastery functioned normally. Today the monastery is abandoned and in ruins. Only the two-storey, towered Corfiot bell tower is preserved, but without its bells.
Editor: Niki Kalopaidis