Central Chios · Easy
Nea Moni precinct walk
Why walk it
A slow circuit of the eleventh-century monastery, its cistern, refectory and the memorial chapel.
The route
1Enter the precinct and go first to the katholikon for the mosaics, while the light is low and even.
2Walk the courtyard to the great cistern and the ruined refectory.
3Visit the ossuary chapel, which holds the remains of those killed in 1822.
4Finish at the bell tower and the western gate for the view down the valley.
At a glance
- Distance
- 1 km · circular
- Walking time
- 40 min
- Effort
- Easy
- Underfoot
- Level paved courtyard and stone thresholds inside the precinct.
- Shade and water
- Courtyard shade in patches; the church interior is cool. Water inside the gate.
- Best time
- Morning, before coaches. Check the current opening hours before travelling.
- Start
- The monastery car park, 15 km west of Chios Town.
Before you set out
A working monastic site. Shoulders and knees covered; no photography inside the church unless it is signed as permitted.
A working monastic site. Shoulders and knees covered; no photography inside the church unless it is signed as permitted.
On the way
Walking times are estimates.
They assume an unhurried pace and no stops. Add time for heat, photographs and lunch.
They assume an unhurried pace and no stops. Add time for heat, photographs and lunch.