Agios Ioannis Siderinions Monastery Milos

The beautiful and remote Agios Ioannis Siderianos Monastery, we find it on the Milos south west coast in one of the uninhabited areas of the island with still uncontested nature where just under about ten minutes on foot you can also admire its beautiful beach.

On a hill in the bay where the views are breathtaking, the impressive complex presents itself with a domed basilica architecture painted in immaculate white, very well maintained by the few monks who still host it. Around the Katholikon, the main church, there are 48 cells which were once occupied by religious people. It dates back to the 15th century and depended on the Patmos Monastery. Inside the basilica the St John sacred icon, much older than the Monastery, is said to be the work of the Luke Evangelist.

Around this stupendous place of worship, there are some legends and the best known tells that on the day of the St. John feast (Agios Ioannis), the sea raiders arrived and the population took refuge inside to escape certain death rather than slavery to the Monastery. They prayed, begged the Saint to help them and save them and in fact their pleas were answered so much so that the fragile wooden door that blocked the entrance to the pirates was transformed into resistant iron (sideros in Greek means iron) thus repelling the buccaneers who failedto enter and had to run away. However, a stubborn pirate, enraged by the defeat, climbed up to the dome of the church and with a gun in his hand threatened the faithful. At that point there was the second miracle, the Saint paralyzed his hand causing the weapon to fall into the church where it is still preserved today together with other religious objects.

A second story however tells that during the Second World War, an English ship, in an attempt to destroy a German fort in the area, fired a projectile which lodged in the Church wall. It did not explode and you can still see it today inside the Basilica.

On September 25th for Agios Ioannis, a beautiful party is organized which lasts several days where food is served and local bands cheer with typical music linked to the folklore of Milos making everything typically Cycladic. Don't miss it if you are on your holidays in Greece.

Since getting there is challenging, don't forget to also combine a visit to its namesake beach. In reality the bay offers three coastlines separated from each other by steep rocks that seem to magically emerge from the sea. Soft dark sand thanks to its volcanic origins, clear and clean waters, an emerald sea with a rapidly descending seabed. Behind it are rolling hills dotted with Mediterranean scrub, a real postcard. The largest inlet can be reached by land with a walk while the other two are even more scenic and uncontaminated either by sea, if you are expert swimmers you will be at your destination in ten minutes, or by a path where however you have to climb up and if you are notfor accustomed walkers it becomes very dangerous. A wild and uncontaminated nature where no human trace exists so if you decide to venture up here, know that you will have to bring everything you need.

From here you can also admire one of the most beautiful sunsets in Milos with crazy colors that mix with the colors of the surrounding area making the scenery something indescribable.

Like all good things, getting there is quite difficult. Know that whether it is from Achivadolimni or from Embourios or from Provatas the road is mainly gravel dirt so it is necessary either to have a suitable vehicle such as a 4x4 or to pay maximum attention because you will be in the middle of nowhere as this part of Milos which is completelyuninhabited.

For the beach, however, you also have the opportunity to reach it by sea, there are organized day trips that take this route, ask one of the many agencies you find on the island.

A magnificent stop to include among the things to do in Milos during your holiday, you can combine the sea with culture, what better could you ask for?