Hosios Loukas is a historic walled monastery situated near the town of Distomo in Greece. It is one of the most important monuments of Middle Byzantine architecture and art, and has been listed on UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.
The Hosios Loukas monastery was founded in the early 10th century AD by the hermit, Luke of Steiris (in Greek: Lukas), whose relics are kept in the monastery to this day. A hermit is a person who lives in seclusion from society, usually for religious reasons.
Saint Luke (he should not to be confused with the Evangelist author of the Gospel of Saint Luke) died on 7 February 953. He is famous for having predicted the conquest of Crete by Emperor Romanos. The Crete island was actually reconquered by Nicephorus Phocas under Romanos II.
Saint Luke was believed to have been a miraculous healer, levitator, miraculous feeder and prophesier during his lifetime; after his death, all of the miracles associated with him involved the healing power of his tomb.
The main shrine of the monastery is the tomb of Saint Luke, originally situated in the vault, but later placed at the juncture of the two churches. The monastery derived its wealth (including funds required for construction) from the fact that the relics of Saint Luke were said to have exuded myron, a sort of perfumed oil which produced healing miracles. Pilgrims hoping for miraculous help were encouraged to sleep by the side of the tomb in order to be healed by incubation. The mosaics around the tomb represent not only Saint Luke himself, but also hegumen Philotheos offering a likeness of the newly built church to the saint.
The Hosios Loukas, the oldest in the complex, is the only church known with certainty to have been built in the tenth century in its site in mainland Greece. This centralized parallelogram-shaped building is the oldest example of the cross-in-square type in the country; its plan closely follows that of Lips Monastery in Constantinople. The walls are built from mix of bricks, stones, and pieces of marble and display curious patterns.
The Hosios Loukas adjoins a larger cathedral church, or Katholikon, tentatively dated to 1011-12. The Katholikon is the earliest extant domed-octagon church, with eight piers arranged around the perimeter of the nave.
Hosios Loukas is the largest of three monasteries surviving from the Middle Byzantine period in Greece. It differs from the Daphnion and Nea Moni in that it is dedicated to a single military saint. Saint Lukes' prophecy about the reconquest of Crete is commemorated by the image of Joshua on the exterior wall of the Panagia church: Joshua was considered a model "warrior of the faith", whose help was especially effective in the wars waged against the Arabs. The Katholikon contains the best preserved complex of mosaics from the period of the Macedonian Renaissance.
There is evidence that the monastery was reputed all over Byzantium for its lavish decoration, liberally applied to all surfaces. Apart from revetment, carving, gold and silver plate, murals, and mosaics (especially imposing on curving surfaces), the interior featured a choice assortment of icons, chandeliers, silk curtains, and altar cloths.
How to visit Hosios Loukas
We at Monterrasol Travel welcome you to see Hosios Loukas during multiday private car tour. Contact us if you would like to customize your tour to Hosios Loukas.
We have developed several tours that visiting this beautiful place. But, if you have a special conditions or any from these tours fit you, please do not hesitate to contact us, we can organize a tour exactly as you would like. And remember, we have no problems to take you from almost any place where you stay, hotel or private accommodation.
Discover Greece from Igoumenitsa: round trip via Parga, Delphi, Meteora. Ancient towns, beaches, castles and monasteries. See Parga castle and enjoy Parga beach, walk in Arta museum, refresh in Mesolongi beach, take image of Antirrio bridge, climb on walls of Nafpaktos fortress and swim down on the beach, visit UNESCO sites Delphi and Hosios Loukas monastery, walk in medieval old town Livadeia, say hello to Leonidas in Thermopylae, wonder on Meteora monasteries and return back via Ioannina with ancient castle and Dodoni archaeological site included in UNESCO Tentative List sites.
This 9 days (8 nights) tour covers the most important archaeological sites, monasteries and UNESCO sites of Greece mainland. See Parga castle and enjoy Parga beach, walk in Arta museum, enjoy unique Mesolongi wetland formation, take image of beautiful Antirrio bridge, climb on walls of Nafpaktos fortress and enjoy after crystal clear sea water and sandy beach, visit UNESCO archaeological site Delphi and UNESCO Hosios Loukas monastery, walk in medieval old town Livadeia, say hello to king Leonidas in Thermopylae, wonder on UNESCO Meteora monasteries, visit UNESCO archaeological site Aegae, and on the way back see ancient Ioannina castle and Dodoni archaeological site included in UNESCO Tentative List.
Greece discovery 11 days (10 nights) round tour from Igoumenitsa will pass through ancient towns, beaches, castles and monasteries, and some places are on UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. The tour will visit Parga castle, we will walk in Arta museum, see Mesolongi sea lake, climb on steps of Nafpaktos castle and touch statue of Cervantes, take an images of longest bridge of the fully suspended type, walk in Patras fortress and pray in St Andrew cathedral, walk in Ancient Corinth, touch stones of ancient civilization in Mycenae, wonder on Corinth canal, walk the passages of medieval town Livadeia and visit old Hosios Loukas UNESCO monastery, ask Delphi oracle and see the place of the feat of Leonidas, visit unique UNESCO complex of monasteries in Meteora, stay in ancient theater of Larissa, visit UNESCO archaeological site Aegae, and on the way back see ancient Ioannina castle and Dodoni archaeological site included in UNESCO Tentative List.
This off-season balanced tour is aimed for people who interesting in the history of Greece, to walk that ancient historical places where are roots of culture of our civilization. During this tour we will visit 6 places that are on the list of UNESCO. Many other we going to visit places now expecting to be on UNESCO list; such places are prepared, available for public for fraction of cost, and are on so called UNESCO tentative list.
This Peloponnese and Greece mainland discovery 13 days (12 nights) round tour from Igoumenitsa will pass through castles and fortresses, beaches, ancient towns and monasteries. Some of visited places are on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list, and some on the UNESCO Tentative List. The tour will visit Parga castle, we will walk in Arta museum, see Mesolongi sea lake, climb on steps of Nafpaktos castle and touch statue of Cervantes, take an images of longest bridge of the fully suspended type, walk in Patras fortress and pray in St Andrew cathedral, walk in site of Olympic Games Ancient Olympia, explore old Messene, visit Sparta and medieval fortified town Mystras, touch stones of ancient civilization in Mycenae, wonder on Corinth canal, visit old Hosios Loukas UNESCO monastery, ask Delphi oracle and see the place of the feat of Leonidas, visit unique UNESCO complex of monasteries in Meteora, and on the way back see ancient Ioannina castle and Dodoni archaeological site included in UNESCO Tentative List.
This Peloponnese and Greece mainland discovery 13 days (12 nights) round tour from Igoumenitsa will pass through castles and fortresses, beaches, ancient towns and monasteries. Some of visited places are on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list, and some on the UNESCO Tentative List. The tour will visit Parga castle, we will walk in Arta museum, see Mesolongi sea lake, climb on steps of Nafpaktos castle and touch statue of Cervantes, take an images of longest bridge of the fully suspended type, walk in Patras fortress and pray in St Andrew cathedral, walk in site of Olympic Games Ancient Olympia, explore old Messene, visit Sparta and medieval fortified town Mystras, touch stones of ancient civilization in Mycenae, wonder on Corinth canal, visit old Hosios Loukas UNESCO monastery, ask Delphi oracle and see the place of the feat of Leonidas, visit unique UNESCO complex of monasteries in Meteora, and on the way back see ancient Ioannina castle and Dodoni archaeological site included in UNESCO Tentative List.
This off-season 19 days (18 nights) tour covers several important UNESCO World Heritage sites located in Greece mainland and south Albania. Together with that will also visited numerous UNESCO Tentative List sites. Come to see beautiful Mediterranean land and visit stunning sites in the off-peak months!
During the tour here is plenty of things to do: from fascinating museums to imposing archaeological sites, and from mouthwatering gastronomy to perfect- picture villages and towns. Both Greece and Albania is the ideal destination if you enjoy nature and dramatic landscapes, regardless the time of the year you plan to visit it.
This Peloponnese and Greece mainland off-season discovery 19 days (18 nights) round tour from Igoumenitsa will pass through places that on UNESCO World Heritage list and on the UNESCO Tentative List. We will visit ancient towns and monasteries, castles and fortresses, beaches and mountain towns.
The tour will visit Parga castle, we will walk in Arta museum, see Mesolongi sea lake, climb on steps of Nafpaktos castle and touch statue of Cervantes, take an images of longest bridge of the fully suspended type, walk in Patras fortress and pray in St Andrew cathedral, walk in site of Olympic Games Ancient Olympia, walk the steps of old fortresses in Pylos and Methoni, explore archaeological site Messene, visit famous Sparta and medieval fortified town Mystras, touch stones of ancient civilization in Mycenae, wonder on Corinth canal, visit old Hosios Loukas UNESCO monastery, ask Delphi oracle and see the place of the feat of Leonidas, visit unique UNESCO complex of monasteries in Meteora, walk over Aegae archaeological place, and on the way back see mountain town Metsovo with famous winery, ancient Ioannina castle and Dodoni archaeological site included in UNESCO Tentative List.
This off-season tour will allow you to visit not only some of Greece's eighteen UNESCO World Heritage sites but also some of the country's fourteen sites in the UNESCO tentative list, together with other top destinations across this beautiful Mediterranean land. Come and visit this stunning country in the off-peak months! You will quickly understand why Greece is much more than just a perfect summer destination. Greece is a truly year-round destination!
It boasts plenty of things to do: from fascinating museums to imposing archaeological sites, and from mouthwatering gastronomy to perfect- picture villages and towns. Greece is the ideal destination if you enjoy nature and dramatic landscapes, regardless the time of the year you plan to visit it.
This off-season 22 days (21 nights) tour covers the most important UNESCO World Heritage sites located in Greece mainland and all UNESCO World Heritage sites of Albania. Thw tour is also allow to visit many UNESCO Tentative List sites. Come to see beautiful Mediterranean land and visit stunning sites in the off-peak months!
During the tour here is plenty of things to do: from fascinating museums to imposing archaeological sites, and from mouthwatering gastronomy to perfect- picture villages and towns. Both Greece and Albania is the ideal destination if you enjoy nature and dramatic landscapes, regardless the time of the year you plan to visit it.
Off-season discovery 26 days (25 nights) round tour from Igoumenitsa around Peloponnese and Greece mainland. The tour is focused on UNESCO World Heritage list sites and on the UNESCO Tentative List sites. We will visit castles and fortresses, ancient towns and monasteries, beaches and mountain towns.
The tour will visit Parga castle, we will walk in ancient city Nicopolis (UNESCO Tentative List), we will enjoy Arta museum, see Mesolongi sea lake, climb on steps of Nafpaktos castle and touch the statue of Cervantes, take an images of longest bridge of the fully suspended type between towns Rio and Antirrio, walk in Patras fortress and pray in St Andrew cathedral, walk in site of Olympic Games Ancient Olympia (UNESCO World Heritage), walk the steps of old fortresses in Pylos and Methoni, explore archaeological site Messene (UNESCO Tentative List), visit famous Sparta and medieval fortified town Mystras (UNESCO World Heritage), touch stones of ancient civilization in Mycenae, wonder on Corinth canal, visit old Hosios Loukas UNESCO monastery, ask Delphi oracle (UNESCO World Heritage) and see the place of the feat of Leonidas, visit unique UNESCO complex of monasteries in Meteora, walk over Aegae archaeological place (UNESCO World Heritage), and on the way back see mountain town Metsovo with famous winery, ancient Ioannina castle and Dodoni archaeological site included in UNESCO Tentative List.
April 1, 2020 Arachova, Greece. While Greece is known as a beach holiday destination, few know that it’s also perfect for a green holiday. The lovely Arachova is a great destination! You will quickly see why Greece is much more than just a summer destination.
March 30, 2020 Galaxidi, Greece. Galaxidi is a lovely coastal town located on the northern shores of the Corinthian gulf, in central Greece where it seems time has come to a standstill, perfect for a green and relaxing holiday.
March 20, 2020 Antirrio, Greece. The home of а well kept medieval seafront fortress and close to the ancient cities, Makyneia and Molykreas.
March 10, 2020 Thermopylae, Greece. The Spartan king Leonidas and the historic Battle of Thermopylae.
March 10, 2020 Volos, Greece. Volos, one of the cities that never ceases to amaze!
It is not only conveniently located for exploring Mount Pelion (the Centaurs mountain) and the Sporades Islands, but it is also a renowned gastronomic attraction in Greece.
