This sense of a medieval
quest was reinforced by the monasteries, which were the most substantial
landmarks along the road. The biggest was the Leimonos Monastery, founded
in 1523 by the metropolitan of Mithymna, St Ignatius. From a distance, the
monastery looked grand and imposing, but on closer inspection there were
signs of dereliction everywhere.
The main building was three storeys high, with
wings of monastic cells enclosing a courtyard, but what was once a thriving
centre had now largely been abandoned. |