INFINITE AWE

History, miracles and faith mix sweetly in Filerimos – a place of exaltation and prayer.

Locals say it is best to climb Filerimos in the late afternoon near sunset. The ancient Acropolis of Ialysos once stood at the top of the hill, 267 metres high. Byzantine Orthodox churches were raised on the remnants of temples to Athena Polias and Zeus Polieus, next to fortifications built by the Telchines, Minoans and Mycenaeans. Later, the Holy Monastery of Panagia Filerimos was constructed – the keeper of the famous Madonna del Fileremo, a miraculous icon from Jerusalem brought by the Knights Hospitallers.

A path opposite the entrance to the archaeological site leads to The Way of the Cavalry – a cobbled path studded with fourteen bronze depictions of the Passion of Christ ascending to the hilltop and ending at an eighteen-metre-high stone cross. Fearless visitors climb the narrow staircase to a horizontal section which serves as a balcony. The view from there is a wonder to behold.

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TEXT : Kallia Kastani
PHOTOS: Perikles Merakos