Panagia Skiadeni

Panagia Skiadeni Monastery, set in South Rhodes, 95 km from Rhodes Town, near the beautiful villages of Mesanagros and Apolakkia, offers a peaceful retreat with panoramic sea views, history and tradition.

Also known as the Monastery of Skiadi, is dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and is considered one of the most important religious sites in Rhodes. It stands on the hill of Stavros, in a landscape where nature and spirituality come together. In ancient times, the site is believed to have been home to a sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Artemis.

According to local tradition, the monastery was founded by three monks who lived as hermits in the area. The story says that the icon of the Virgin Mary was miraculously revealed to them, inspiring the construction of the monastery.

The original church is thought to have been built in the 13th century, following Byzantine architecture with a free-standing cross plan and dome. It was reconstructed in the 19th century by Abbot Ignatios Zannetidis.

For centuries, Panagia Skiadeni served as an important spiritual centre on Rhodes, with a significant religious and social role. It also became the island’s second metropolitan centre. Despite suffering looting at various times, the monastery has preserved a collection of valuable religious treasures, many of which are displayed in its small museum in the courtyard. These include wooden icons, liturgical books and Gospels.

Today, the monastery is home to male monks. Several renovations and additions have taken place over the years, particularly around the exterior courtyard. One of its most striking features is the stone-built bell tower, added in 1900–1901.

Inside the church, the floor is covered with traditional Rhodian pebble mosaic, known locally as chochlakia. In the narthex, visitors can see an icon of the Virgin Mary set within an intricately carved wooden shrine, alongside beautiful wall paintings.

The stone-built main church is decorated with newer frescoes, while the sanctuary preserves wall paintings dating from the 17th century. A large wooden shrine on the left houses a rare icon of the Virgin Mary.

The church’s elaborate wooden iconostasis is another highlight, featuring icons of great value. Among them is the monastery’s most important relic: the miraculous silver-covered icon of Panagia, surrounded by thousands of offerings from the faithful. According to tradition, it was originally found at this very site and is closely connected with the monastery’s foundation.

An important local custom takes place around Easter when the icon of Panagia Skiadeni is carried on foot through the villages of Atavyros and South Rhodes. The pilgrimage begins on the nearby island of Chalki before continuing across Rhodes.

Feast Day and Panigyri of Panagia Skiadeni in Mesanagros

The Monastery of Panagia Skiadeni celebrates its feast day on 8 September. On the evening of 7 September, a traditional festival takes place behind the church, attracting pilgrims from across the island with a strong sense of local faith and community.