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A richly illustrated guide to the world's sacred places,
historic religious sites, sacred art and religious architecture. |
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Greece is a southeastern European country on the Balkan peninsula. It shares land borders with Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania and Turkey and has coastlines on the Aegean, Ionian and Mediterranean Seas.
Regarded by many as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy, Greece has a long and rich history during which its culture has profoundly influenced Europe, Asia and Africa.
Greece has many attractions for the visitor, especially one interested in religious history. Ancient Greek temples and artifacts abound, as do ancient biblical sites, domed Byzantine churches, and Greek Orthodox monasteries. Synagogues, Jewish museums, and Turkish mosques also testify to the rich diversity of Greece's culture throughout its turbulent history.
In addition to these attractions, Greece offers travelers world-renowned beaches, spectacular scenery, a lively, traditional culture and delicious Mediterranean food. Click on a link on the menu to begin exploring the fascinating country of Greece.
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Sacred Sites List Our index of churches, monasteries, ancient temples and other religious places in Greece.
Greece Fact Sheet Basic facts and stats on Greece.
Religion in Greece An overview of the Greek Orthodox Church and the role of religion in modern Greece. |
Greece Maps Our own interactive satellite map of Greece, plus many more Greece maps online and in print. Greece Tours and Day Trips Get more convenience and greater insight with a guided tour or excursion in Greece.
Greece Travel Forums Insider tips and advice from experienced travelers about travel in Greece. |
Greece Hotel Reviews Read candid reviews and check out photos before you book your hotel in Greece.
Greece Car Rentals For independent and flexible sightseeing, consider renting a car in Greece.
Greece Rail Passes A Greece Rail Pass is a great way to save money and stay flexible. Most include transport on ferries as well. |
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Aegina This Saronic Gulf island located close to Athens is home to the famous Doric Temple of Aphaia, dedicated to an ancient goddess who eventually became associated with the Greek goddesses Artemis and Athena. |
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Lesvos The third-largest Greek island, Lesvos has a number of museums, churches and quaint towns to explore. For pilgrims, the main attraction is a miraculous icon of the Archangel Michael in the Mandamados Monastery. |
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Athens Athens is an ancient center of civilization and a thoroughly modern capital. Religious sites abound here, including ancient Greek temples, the Areopagus where Paul preached, Byzantine churches and monasteries, archeological museums and even a Jewish museum. |
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Mykonos This small but very popular Cycladic island is best visited outside the high season. It has beautiful beaches, monasteries and museums and also makes a good base for exploring nearby Delos. |
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Corinth Corinth was a major city in ancient Greece and played a significant role in the missionary work of the Apostle Paul. Located in the Peloponnese, it has several sites of interest to pilgrims and tourists. |
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Naxos The largest of the Cyclades islands, Naxos has an abundance of old Byzantine chapels, an Orthodox cathedral, and a Temple of Demeter. |
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Crete There is much to see on the large island of Crete, including the ancient Minoan palace at Knossos and the several temples and Basilica of St. Titus at Gortyna. There is also a spectacular gorge, the longest in Europe. |
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Paros Paros Island is home to the 4th-century Panagia Ekatontapyliani (Our Lady of a Hundred Doors), the oldest remaining Byzantine church in Greece. It was built by Constantine and later by Justinian. |
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Delos Delos Island is the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. No longer inhabited, Delos contains one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. It is a quick trip from Mykonos to get here. |
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Patmos Patmos Island is home to the 11th-century Monastery of St. John the Divine, which commemorates the visions of John that took place here and were recorded in the Book of Revelation. |
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Delphi Delphi was home to the most famous oracle of Apollo. The picturesque ruins of temples and other structures are set against dramatic mountain scenery. |
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Philippi Philippi was founded by King Philip II of Macedon and was visited by the Apostle Paul. Recent excavations have revealed ancient temples, basilicas and early churches. |
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Eleusis In ancient times, this city in Attica was the center of the popular Eleusinian Mysteries. There was also a large temple to Demeter and the Eleusinian games were held here regularly. |
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Thessaloniki (Salonika) This is Greece's second-largest city, located 320 miles north of Athens. Visitors come for the ancient Byzantine churches, beautiful sea views, tree-lined streets, museums, Turkish-influenced food and thriving modern culture. |
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Kos Kos Island is home to the Asklepeion that was the healing center of Hippocrates, the father of medicine, as well as a castle built by the Knights of St. John. |
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Rhodes Beloved for its year-round sunshine, clean beaches, unspoiled mountain villages and butterflies, this ancient home to the Colossus has ruins of a Temple of Apollo and remnants of many cultures. |
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Meteora Suspended in the air (which is what meteora means in Greek) atop natural rock pillars, the six monasteries of Meteora are an incredible sight. The monasteries are still active and welcome visitors willing to climb some stairs. |
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Santorini The island famous for its dramatic cliffs and blue-domed churches is also home to interesting archaological sites. |
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Mt. Athos Mt. Athos (the "Holy Mountain"), is a mountainous peninsula in northern Greece that is home to 20 Orthodox monasteries. Only men are allowed to visit, but cruises sail around the peninsula to give everyone a good view. |
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Tinos Home to a miraculous icon, Tinos is the most important pilgrimage destination in all of Greece. It also remains one of the least commercialized islands of the Cyclades and its walking paths make it a hiker's paradise. |
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Ancient Greek Temples Although the Greek world once expanded far beyond the borders of modern Greece, Greece still boasts the most ancient temples to admire and explore. |
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Churches of Greece An index of notable churches to visit in Greece. |
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Biblical Sites in Greece Where to follow in the footsteps of Paul and John in Greece. |
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Monasteries of Greece An index of the many Greek Orthodox monasteries on mainland Greece and the Greek islands, from Mt. Athos and Meteora to some lesser-known monasteries. |
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