Sunset at the monastery of Ai-Lias (Saint Elias) on the highest hill of Kythnos island, near Chora village, Cyclades, Greece


The monastery of Ai-Lias built on the highest hill of the island near Chora village, it had been constructed to replace an old temple. Because of its location, this temple was chosen by the German conquerors as a base and a watch-tower during World War II. Apart from being historically and architecturally interesting, the whitewashed chapels, old Byzantine churches and monasteries of Kythnos are very important to local society as they are bound up with its faith and religion. Furthermore, they resemble small oases on a treeless land during the summer heat, usually offering a cool and protected shelter to the passer-by or a fine resting point of magnificent view


Size: 7158px × 4548px
Location: Near Chora(Hora) village, Kythnos island, Cyclades Aegean sea, Greece, Mediterranean sea, Europe
Photo credit: © GERMAINE ALEXAKIS / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

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