Agia Irini Monastery

PYTHARA
The ravine of Pythara is located in Apikia village. According to the tradition, is also called "Neraidotopos" (“Fairy Land”). The plentiful crystal clear waters create an amazing habitat, forming small waterfalls and ponds which abound with aquatic life. The landscape is lush with rare species of plants and birds, wildflowers and several amphibians. The waters that spring from Mount Petalo in Evrousies irrigate the crops, while from 1863 until 1936 powered "Fabrica", the Balkans largest watermill, at Stenies village.
Location: At Apikia village, just a few kilometers to the west of Chora.
How to get there: Leave the car on the main road and follow the path to Pythara. After 10-minutes walk, you will reach your destination.

The spring of mineral water "Sariza" is found at Apikia village and attracts many visitors due to its curative properties (it helps those suffering from kidney ailments). A few meters to the west, is located the factory where “Sariza” water and soda are bottled.
Location: At Apikia village, just a few kilometers to the west of Chora.
How to get there: At the end of Niborio quarter, in Chora, follow the road on your left to Stenies and Apikia. Those wishing to bypass Chora, they can follow the road to Strapourgies - Ypsilou, from the intersection of Menites village.

AGIOS NIKOLAOS (ST. NICHOLAS) MONASTERY

Agios Nikolaos monastery, with its  an elaborate architectural structure, is perfectly maintained. According to tradition, the monastery was built during the 11th century, while in 1760 extensive repairs were made. The monastery is fortified with high walls and the katholikon is cross-in-square type, two-columned with narthex and a dome. There are many chapels inside the monastery. Here are kept the relic skull of Saint Nicholas of Vounenois, the jawbone of St. Kosmas Aitolos, part of the skull of St. Joseph of Arimathea and many other relics. The Monastery was annex of “Filiki Eteria” and served as a printing and bindery house, as well as “Krifo scholio” (Secret School) during the Turkish occupation, due to its outermost location. Monastery’s iconostasis is unique and holy water spouts from the altar. The monastery’s wooden screen is superb, while there are also traces of frescoes.
Location: North of Apikia and before Vourkoti village, in a 10 km distance from Chora and 25 km from Batsi.
How to get there: Follow the road from Chora to Apikia and turn right after Apikia and before Vourkoti village. There are relevant road signs.

AGIA MARINA (ST. MARINA) MONASTERY

Agia Marina’s monastery is located north of Chora and was recently renovated. The monastery dates from 1325, when Agia Marina shows herself to an elder monk at Litres region and indicates him to find her icon in a slot of a rock… And so it happened. During the 16th century, the monastery is burned three times from the pirates, but monk Sofronios fully refurbishes it by selling his property in Peloponnese. He converted it to a convent, hosting up to 100 nuns. In 1833, 417 monasteries in Greece are closing by order, among which Agia Marina. Embirikos family bought the miraculous icon and transfers it to the Church of Virgin Mary in Chora. In 1975, Dorotheos, Metropolitan of Syros, asks Deacon Kyprianos Chimonas to restore the monastery and the latter follow his will. The monastery became widely known by the miraculous healing of a small child from Cyprus.
Location: North of Chora, in a 4 km distance from Apikia region.
How to get there: Follow the road from Chora to Apikia and turn left at the intersection that leads to Ypsilou and Strapourgies villages. Then take the road on your right towards the monastery. There are relevant road signs.