If you say Agios Ioannis in Skopelos, I bet that most people think of the famous film “Mamma Mia” now become a cult for the soundtrack (the most vintage will know the songs of the legendary Abba very well) and for the crazy landscapes. And yes, because the film was shot between the Skopelos and Skiathos islands, and the crystal clear sea, the immaculate white beches and the church perched on the wedding scene really exist.

The small chapel of Agios Ioannis sto Kastri (this would be the correct name in Greek), is located in the northeast part of the capital Skopelos Town about eight kilometers from the lively Glossa village in a pretty cove. It is built on top of a majestic rock in the middle of the sea almost as if it had sprouted by magic and connected to the mainland by a rock walkway.

To reach it, you have to climb over two hundred steps until you reach the top at a height of one hundred meters, where the panorama is incredible and ranges from the majestic and blue sea to the coasts of the Skopelos and Alonissos island.

It has not yet been discovered when it was actually built, but local history tells that one evening, a resident saw a glow on the top of the rock giving little importance to the event until I began to see it every night and in one of these nights, a woman appeared to him in a dream telling him to go to the top of the promontory to look for a sacred icon. Also involving the other inhabitants, they decided to carve some steps in order to create a staircase to reach the summit and look for the image. Once they reached the peak, they found the icon of Agios Ioannis (San Giovanni) which was taken to a nearby chapel. But it happened that the next day, the icon disappeared from the church to appear exactly where it was found. The inhabitants then decided to build the chapel exactly in the place where the icon had been found because they were convinced that the Saint wanted it right there.

In the small inlet, you will also find a small isolated beach with a beautiful crystal clear water and a pebbly coast, ideal for a refreshing swim perhaps after the view to the chapel and for snorkeling always though if there is no wind. It is equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas and a tavern where you can eat or drink just after the church.

You have to get to the Glossa town and take a road made of hairpin bends and overhangs (not suitable for those suffering from vertigo) that directly reaches the beach and chapel area. The road we say is not exactly the best but only and exclusively because of the many curves, but the landscape you will cross will give you the opportunity to admire the typical flora of the island and breathtaking views to keep in the baglio of memories.