The monasteries of Skopelos
St. Riginos

The monastery of St. Riginos is situated a few kilometers outside of Skopelos town, towards the southwest. It was built in 1728, as is written on a flat marble stone, 0,34 m in height and 0,37m in length, which was discovered earlier at the monastery entrance.

The oldest monastery is a building of the Byzantines times, as the existing architectural parts of the church prove. The nave of the church was a one-room basilica covered by a dome, which was demolished in order to build the big cross-shaped cathedral.

The cells were in the southwest corner but are nowadays in ruins. In the western part is placed the tomb of the bishop of Skopelos, Riginos, who died as a martyr in 362 A.D. It is a stone sarcophagus, which dates back to the 4th century.

Behind the church fragments of pillars can be found, remains from an ancient temple of Doric style. Close to the monastery is a fresh water spring, which supplies the monastery with water.

In the monasteries cells old icons from the nave are sheltered, altar cloths and other old artifacts.

The monastery of St. Riginos belongs today to the municipality of Skopelos.

Photograph from 23/4/66,
Procession for the laying of the foundations of the holy church of St. Riginos
after its destruction by the strong earthquakes.
( collection D.Balsamaki )

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