The monastery of Panagia tis Giatrissa is located in the Municipality of Smynous, near the forest of Vasiliki of Taygetos. We can reach it by car following the route: Agios Nikolaos - Kastania - IM Panagias Yatrissas.
In an idyllic location and at an altitude of 1040 meters is built the Monastery of Panagia tis Yatrissa, which is so closely linked to the history and lives of the inhabitants of Vardounohoria.
The exact date of the establishment of the Monastery is not historically confirmed. What is certain, however, is that in the pre-Christian years at the same spot was the site of a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena.
Some argue that a monastery was first established there in the 4th AD. h. , while another tradition believes that the monastery was founded in the 10th century. citing as its possible founder Saint Nicona who founded many Temples in the area of Taygetos and Lacedaemon
The Church was deserted for several years, due to wars, pirate attacks, etc., until around 1632, when Kyriakoulis Iliafentis, from a rich family of Kastania, and his wife Maria, decided to become monastics to avoid the outcry, being childless and build a monastery and cells on the ruins of the old temple. In fact, according to the legend, Maria Iliafendi became pregnant the very next year after the construction of the Temple and she gave birth to a second child a year later. From then until today, Panagia the Healer is completely connected to the daily life and the history of Vardounia.
The patronymic of Panagia is believed to be related to the branch of the Medici, Iatro, Yatrako families.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou
