GR PELOPONNESE ARGOLIS NAFPLION MONI ARIAS

The monastery of Agia Moni is beautifully situated about 4 km east of Nafplion on a hillside near the village of Aria and clearly signposted from there. It was built around 1150 and today the nunnery consists of a church, small chapels and housing quarters for the 10 nuns, who still live there. In the beginning of the modern Greek state it was declared a national monument.

Above left: Ancient marble spolia being incorporated into the paving of paths around the monastery. - Above right and below: Outside the monastery proper lies the chapel dedicated to Zoodochos Pigi, the spring or source of life. A little bit down from the chapel is a shady place with the actual spring. It is a classical example of ancient Greek mythological sites being transformed into a Christian place of cult. Actually the spring of Kanathos was, in antiquity, a place of worship of the goddess Hera. It was mentioned by the 2nd century AD traveller Pausanias. According to Greek mythology, Hera took a bath here once a year to renew her virginity. - The famous spring-water from the fountain is refreshing and tastes good. It is a nice place to take a rest during hot summer days.

Not far from the spring is a pool where you are free to imagine Hera taking her bath. However, it does not look very inviting today and it is doubtful if the water is still able to restore virginity.