The photograph is of the open courtyard of the Monastery of Panagia Kathariotissa which is situated on the south-eastern peak of Homeric Mt. Niritos at approx 600 metres above sea level on the Greek island of Ithaca. Panagia Kathariotissa is the patron saint of the island. The monastery is a place of great spiritual significance for the people of Ithaca. A coloured photograph of a paved courtyard in front of a double storey building with potted plants and trees around the perimeter of the yard.panagia, kathara

The workmen are doing repairs to the arched walkway entrance to the Monastery of Panagia Kathariotissa, a project which the Ithacan Philanthropic Society supported as the Monastery was in need of extensive repairs.The monastery of Panagia Katharon dates back to approx. 1696. According to tradition, the monastery was thus named, because the icon of Virgin Mary was found untouched in burning “kathara”, dry vegetation, bushes, in the exact spot where the monastery was built. The bell tower, where one can view the most breathtaking view of the island and surrounds, was destroyed by the earthquakes of 1953 and was later rebuilt. A coloured photograph of three workmen standing on scaffolding while they lay bricks on an arched open walk way.