>

Monastery of Gola

The Monastery of Gola is in Taygetos, near the medieval settlement of Koumousta, at an altitude of about a thousand meters. To the west of the monastery there is a dense fir forest, while the whole surrounding area is full of chestnut pines and firs.
The Monastery is named after Zoodochos Pigi or Chrysopigi. From the donor inscriptions we conclude that the church was built or renovated in 1632, but there is evidence about the existence of the monastery since 1608.
real-sparta
 

The educational role of the Monastery during the Turkish occupation was important, as it was financially supporting the schools in the neighboring villages. Regarding the frescoes of the Holy Monastery, the Main Church, the iconostasis and the narthex are covered with colored frescoes. Most of them are in very good condition. An inscription that exists above the entrance testifies that the frescoes of the church are works of Demetrios Kakavas of 1632, while another inscription above the gate of the Narthex states that it was painted in 1673 by another artist. The frescoes at the dome of the church, are dominated by the Pantocrator in the center and there are four zones around it. In the first zone we see the figues of twelve Archangels, others wearing Hierarchical and two wearing Greek dresses,while the second zone depicts scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary.

In the third zone there are depictions of 14 prophets holding unfolded inscribed scrolls and in the fourth zone consists of two themes. In the western part of the zone is the theme "The Prophets from Above" and in the eastern part a fresco named "I am the vine and you are the vines branches". On the west wall of the narthex of the church, the visitor is surprised by the depiction of Homer, Solon, Thucydides, Plutarch, Aristotle, Plato, Sibylla and Chilon of Lacedaemon. In general, the frescoes of the Monastery are very special and they really worth a visit. The Monastery of Gola gives you the opportunity to admire the natural beauty of the place and to feel the spiritual joy, found in all its places.
 
 
Today
 
Photos