Kastrologos

Castles of Greece
 

Saidona, Dytiki Mani, Messenia,Peloponnese

Monastery of Vaïdenitsa

or Monastery of Voidenitsa  
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Location:
Between the villages Exohori and Saidona northeast of Kardamylli in Messinia
Region > Prefecture: Greek Map
Peloponnese
Messenia
Municipality > Town:
City of Dytiki Mani
• Saidona
Altitude:
Elevation ≈ 575 m 
Time of Construction   Origin
19th century  
MODERN GREEK
Hon 
Castle Type   Condition
Castle-Monastery  
Average
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A monastery at the western slopes of mount Taygetos between the villages Exohori and Saidona, close to Kardamyli.

The monastery is protected by a fortified wall and a tower at the western side of the wall.

The name of the monastery derives from the Slavic words boda (=water)and bodonitsa meaning watermill. The remains of six old watermills are still visible nearby.

The monastery was founded before the 18th century but all the remaining buildings are from the early 19th century. The fortified monastery of Samouil and the tower of Kitriniaris are very close. The three fortified complexes formed a defensive triangle which in combination with the mountainous terrain protected the local population.

The church (Birth of Theotokos) is outside the fortified yard and is a bit younger than the rest of the buildings. Inside, there are no frescoes but there is a remarkable temple with an inscription of a date: 1865.


First entry in Kastrologos:    December 2015

Sources