The monastery was established by a group of Kollyvades monks who left Mount Athos during the Athonite schism.
The first Greek flag, featuring a white cross on a blue field, was woven and blessed at this monastery in 1807.
The library holds rare printed books and Byzantine manuscripts dating back to the 17th century.
The katholikon was constructed using materials from the ruins of ancient structures found on the island.
The monastery grounds feature a traditional olive press and a winery that utilize historical production methods.
It served as a major printing center for religious and revolutionary texts during the Ottoman occupation.
The Holy Monastery of the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary, founded in 1794, is situated on the slopes of the Agalianou mountains in Skiathos. It played a critical role in the Greek War of Independence, serving as a sanctuary for revolutionaries including Theodoros Kolokotronis. The site is notable for housing the first Greek flag, which was blessed at the monastery in 1807. Its architecture follows the Athonite tradition, featuring a central katholikon and a surrounding complex of cells and workshops. The complex includes a museum displaying 18th and 19th-century ecclesiastical artifacts, vestments, and rare manuscripts. Visitors can purchase local products produced by the resident monks, such as wine, honey, and olive oil. The monastery remains an active site of Orthodox worship rather than merely a historical monument.
The main courtyard archway looking toward the stone facade of the katholikon.
Taste the monastery’s own production of wine and traditional sweets in the courtyard shop.
Take time to walk through the surrounding gardens to see the unique mountain flora of Skiathos.
Ensure your phone is charged to capture the view of the valley looking out toward the Aegean Sea.
Do not take photographs inside the church interior where icons are displayed, as this is strictly forbidden.
Modest dress required: shoulders and knees must be covered for all visitors.
