Panagia Tourliani Monastery
This 14th-century monastery in Ano Mera is dedicated to Panagia Tourliani, the patroness of Mykonos island, and is a popular destination for pilgrims since the 16th century.
About this building
The monastery was founded in 1542 by monks of the monastery of Katapoliani of Paros. The monastery became a popular destination for pilgrims in the 16th century after a picture of the Virgin Mary was found floating in the sea in the neighbouring region of Tourlos. After this event, the monastery was dedicated to Panagia Tourliani, which is today the patroness of the island of Mykonos, and underwent a restoration that left it with its present appearance.
In line with the traditional architecture of the Cyclades, the monastery has a white facade and a red-coloured dome. A differentiating element is the marble façade of the church from the late 17th century and the marble tower, which was added in the 19th century.
Nowadays the monastery houses a museum of ecclesiastical items such as vestments, embroideries, Byzantine and Renaissance icons and the first bells of the building.
