Lazy Day.....

After our busy past days as tourist, today we felt we’d lighten the load and only visit two sights, firstly the Monastery of Agia Lavra then followed by the monument of Independence.

The monastery of Agia Lavra is 4,5km away from the village. On the right-hand side of the monastery’s court lies the little chapel where the Greek revolution against the Ottoman Empire was launched in 1821. The current monastery is the third version since the revolution: the first was burnt, the second destroyed by an earthquake, various fires and the invasion of the German troops in 1943.

Historical items that have been saved are stored in the Gospel, albeit not in perfect condition. The collection includes a considerable number of crosses made of precious stones, bibles, paintings and other such items of religious worship dating back to 1600. Unfortunately the monks had only just started preserving or maintaining the building themselves so the chapel is currently in need of some real work.

Only a short drive north to the Pertient Hill was the Monument of Independence,
The monument is dedicated to the Heroes of the Revolution of 1821, and commemorates the sacrifice of those who fought in the war of Independence. Every year, on the 25th of March, commemorative celebrations are held including the re-enactment of the gathering of the Greek war chieftains and the raising of the Revolution’s Banner (Grigoria’s dad apparently used to take part in those as a child).

Apparently on a good night this is the place to come, lye down on your back, look up and you’ll see the Milky Way, so close you can almost touch it, but I wouldn’t suggest it during a storm otherwise you’re likely to get your bum burnt from the lightening!

The rest of the day we relaxed at home, then visited the family’s good friends Thanasis to spend time with his family before Grigoria & I head off tomorrow to Monemvasia for four days.