Kaisariani Monastery built in
the 11th century AD and is set in
an idyllic location on the slopes
of Mount Hymettos. According
to Greek mythology the area
was frequented by the god
Hephaistos. The river Ilissos,
which has its source on a hill
above the monastery,
was sacred to Aphrodite.
The monastery was built over
the ruins of a Roman temple
which in turn was built over
an ancient Greek one.
Four columns of the ancient
temple have survived to this
day and support the dome of
the monastery's church.
The monastery flourished
between the end of the 12th
and the beginning of 13th
century AD. During the years
of its economic prosperity it was
a major cultural centre with
a rich library and its priors
were the spiritual leaders of
the time. The church of the
monastery , dedicated to the
Presentation of the Virgin,
is built in the shape of the
Greek Cross. It is decorated
with wall paintings dating from
the 16th century. Surrounding
the courtyard of the monastery
are a mill, a bakery,
a bathhouse and a refectory .
On the eastern wall of the
monastery you will see a
fountain, whose water gushes
from a marble ram's mouth.
In ancient times these waters
were believed to cure sterility
and they are still believed
to have "magical" qualities.
Agiasma, a sanctum
on the south-west of the
monastery'scourtyard,
houses another fountain.
Kaisariani Monastery
is an excellent starting,
point for mountain hikes on,
Mount Hymettos, as all
paths lead to the forest
from here. If walking does
not appeal to you, you can
sit and relax in the peaceful
surroundings for awhile
and enjoy the scented
mountain air.
The Votanical Garden -
At a distance of only Skms (three
miles) from Athens city centre you
will have the chance to walk
around and enjoy 3,000,000 pine
trees, cypresses, firs, poplars,
plane trees and oaks; also
thousands of birds and the
Botanical Garden of wild flora.
It provides the perfect setting for
a long stroll and a picnic. You will
find picnic tables and benches
after a 20-minute walk away from
the Kaisariani monastery.
Getting there -
If you have a car, take the Kareas
peripheral road and the road
signs will lead you to the point
where you have to leave it and
start walking. City bus
which departs every ten minutes
from Kaningos Square and goes
up Academias Street, will take
you to the Kaisariani cemetery,
approximately 3kms from the
monastery. From there, walk
straight ahead and the path
will lead you to the monastery
and the woods.
