Nea Moni Monastery
Nea Moni Monastery
4.5
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A beautiful 11th century Byzantine monastery decorated with mosaics and relics.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
327 reviews
Excellent
197
Very good
99
Average
24
Poor
5
Terrible
2
tac0matraveler
Tacoma, WA349 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
This is a former monastery that used to house hundreds of monks but is now a museum with one monk, and is now a UNESCO heritage site. I had a taxi driver take me and they all know this place so getting here was no issue but when we got there we had to wait about 15 for it to open at 4 pm. The monetary itself interesting and very oh can see the surviving relief. The museum was closed when I was there but you can also see a sanctuary area that’s now submerged as well as some archeology work with great views off to the side. There is also a display in a small sanctuary of some of the victims of the massacre by the Ottoman. Overall well worth the trip and a must see if you come to the island.
Written April 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Missetzis_G-SPITAKIA
Chios, Greece38 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
Nea moni monstery is a must visit on cantral Chios on the way to Avgonima and Anavatos.
Opening hours 08.00-13.00 morning 16.00-20.00 afternoon.
Opening hours 08.00-13.00 morning 16.00-20.00 afternoon.
Written November 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gaz1915
Brisbane, Australia47 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
A guide would be ideal however for English speakers there is an excellent video in The Refectory. This room alone is worth seeing where some 40 monks would dine at a very very long marble inlaid table of Byzantine style. The museums treasures are iconic and again worth seeing. The chapel is steeped in a thousand year old occupancy and iconography. The restoration is functional but does not distract. Fire, earthquakes and massacre have not lessened the impact of this monastery. Be aware of the opening hours. The winding road there is long but worth the effort.
Written April 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tsikla
Athens43 contributions
Sep 2013 • Family
Konstantinos Paleologos Emperor of Byzantium build this monastery at Chios island at 1042.He sent to Chios from Constantinople craftsmen mosaics to decorate the interior of the church.These mosaics considered one of the best in Greece ! In 1990 was declared World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Πίνακας περιεχομένων
Πίνακας περιεχομένων
Written May 28, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ELear
Ancona, Italy3,061 contributions
Sep 2013 • Solo
For most tourists, the reason to visit Nea Moni will be to see the extraordinarily beautiful and expressive late Byzantine mosaics, which must be among the greatest in the world. Their beauty is obvious, and can easily be appreciated without a guide-book, although one will help in identifying the figures.
I walked from Chios town and back and it took the whole day. An alternative may be to get a taxi there and walk back, or to find a bus to leave you at the turn-off for the monastery and collect you on its way back.
Before you go, make sure they'll be receiving visitors at the time you arrive. And while you're there, enjoy the monastery itself, the sense of deep peace, and the glorious setting high up above the Aegean.
I walked from Chios town and back and it took the whole day. An alternative may be to get a taxi there and walk back, or to find a bus to leave you at the turn-off for the monastery and collect you on its way back.
Before you go, make sure they'll be receiving visitors at the time you arrive. And while you're there, enjoy the monastery itself, the sense of deep peace, and the glorious setting high up above the Aegean.
Written April 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ant1968
Brisbane, Australia25 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
Great place to visit if your on the Island , spend 30-45min walking around the church and it beautiful building .Continue your drive to Agia Markela
Written January 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aysha H
Nanjing, China38 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
We were 3 girls staying off in the city center (Chios) and had decided on to visit Nea Moni based on the attraction points posted over the internet.
But, unfortunately the long trip was not as we had expected and be ware there are 2 ways to get to the site. While trying to get to the area we hadn’t faced any difficulty, but I had seen a couple of people who went in the wrong directions. So I would recommend for you to rely strictly on google maps and not the rentals GPS.
After the long drive, we made it to the top of the area and reached the landmark. But be ware, if you are going to visit this place, do so in the morning as it gets quite crowded with the tours organized and big buses making it a hassle for the visitors to park, fortunately we were there quite early before any tour could make its way.
At the entrance, the directions ask the visitors to be decently clothed, which is quite understandable as it’s a place of worship. So, be dressed appropriately. But if you haven’t, there is actually a rack with couple of clothings served at the entrance free of cost.
As you enter to the right there is a map of the area, which explains what the buildings were used for and the purposes they served. Upon entering, I had entered to the first building to the left and I was very appalled as it was displaying the skulls of those that had lost their lives in the premise. I do understand that they are trying to invoke a sense of empathy and trying to move the visitors, but I don’t believe this can and should be done by using the left overs those that had lost their lives and I found it pretty disrespectful as a medical doctor myself.
Moving on to the other main halls, they had explained alleged history of the monastery, but the only place I saw worthy to possibly visit was the main church hall which is located at the center of the monastery. It had beautiful left overs of the traditional Greek monasteries and you could somewhat appreciate the design of the main building, but the renovations are going on and I hope they will be successful at reviving it.
The building at the far end corner passing the main building and leaving it to your left is another hall, but the admissions are at costs and I believe the ornaments are portrayed in this area. I hadn’t entered the building unfortunately, but visited the other halls, where most of them were closed of to the visitors as they were only for the use of the Personnel.
There was unfortunately not much to see, just a disappointing long trip taken by us.
But I do hope you guys enjoy and see what I failed to see.
But, unfortunately the long trip was not as we had expected and be ware there are 2 ways to get to the site. While trying to get to the area we hadn’t faced any difficulty, but I had seen a couple of people who went in the wrong directions. So I would recommend for you to rely strictly on google maps and not the rentals GPS.
After the long drive, we made it to the top of the area and reached the landmark. But be ware, if you are going to visit this place, do so in the morning as it gets quite crowded with the tours organized and big buses making it a hassle for the visitors to park, fortunately we were there quite early before any tour could make its way.
At the entrance, the directions ask the visitors to be decently clothed, which is quite understandable as it’s a place of worship. So, be dressed appropriately. But if you haven’t, there is actually a rack with couple of clothings served at the entrance free of cost.
As you enter to the right there is a map of the area, which explains what the buildings were used for and the purposes they served. Upon entering, I had entered to the first building to the left and I was very appalled as it was displaying the skulls of those that had lost their lives in the premise. I do understand that they are trying to invoke a sense of empathy and trying to move the visitors, but I don’t believe this can and should be done by using the left overs those that had lost their lives and I found it pretty disrespectful as a medical doctor myself.
Moving on to the other main halls, they had explained alleged history of the monastery, but the only place I saw worthy to possibly visit was the main church hall which is located at the center of the monastery. It had beautiful left overs of the traditional Greek monasteries and you could somewhat appreciate the design of the main building, but the renovations are going on and I hope they will be successful at reviving it.
The building at the far end corner passing the main building and leaving it to your left is another hall, but the admissions are at costs and I believe the ornaments are portrayed in this area. I hadn’t entered the building unfortunately, but visited the other halls, where most of them were closed of to the visitors as they were only for the use of the Personnel.
There was unfortunately not much to see, just a disappointing long trip taken by us.
But I do hope you guys enjoy and see what I failed to see.
Written August 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Constantinos S
Chios, Greece57 contributions
Sep 2012 • Family
One of the most beautiful and full of history monastery in Greece.
After so many disasters in Chios like the big earthquake and the slaughter in 1881 it still stand proudly.
After so many disasters in Chios like the big earthquake and the slaughter in 1881 it still stand proudly.
Written September 22, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ozgur K
Istanbul, Türkiye68 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
Nea Moni is a UNESCO Heritage site. It is an old Greek Monastery recently renovated and open to public as it is a functioning holy place. It is also home to the 1822 Chios massacre with some artifacts related to these events. It is definitely a must see for all the visitors to the island.
Written April 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DoortjeBerghem
Holland309 contributions
Jun 2017 • Friends
Nea Moni monastery is a must to see, It is the most beautiful monastery and the most important Byzantine monument in the island of Chios. It has been listed on the World Cultural Heritage of Unesco in 1990. It was built in the 11th century, between 1042 - 1056 A.D. by emperor Konstantinos Monomachos and is dedicated to the Dormitiion of the Virgin. The catholican of the monastery is of octagonal type and decorated with superb marble works and mosaics. The multicoloured mosaics are made of natural stone and glass and compose a representative proof of the austere Byzantine art. Famous throughout the world. There is also an interesting museum and the interior of the former dining room of the monks is very worthwhile. Furthermore, the monastery is surrounded by a beautiful nature, so it is also recommended to take a walk and explore the area.
Written March 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sì riesce a vedere gli affreschi o sono ancora in restauro? Ci si arriva con mezzi pubblici?
Written August 12, 2018
Is there public transportation to this place from the ship area?
Written June 30, 2017
Yes, bus, taxis, or rent bike or car.
Written July 11, 2017
Hi, retiredatlast06. What would you like to know about this attraction? Did you have a tour guide for this city? We will be here on a cruise ship so we are looking for someone to take us around
Written May 29, 2017
no guide for us and no good guide book either which made it harder i would see if you could have somekind of guidebook. it is pretty far from everything but it wont take you superlong to tour the place so combine it with other things to see. Yes you need a car!
Written August 29, 2017
Is there any public transport (bus) to the monastery from the cruise port? What would a taxi cost? Thank you
Written July 31, 2015
Hi, How many kilometers is the Nea Moni Monastery from the cruise ship port of Chios? I am renting a car with 100 free kilometers. Is there a bus? Thank you.
Written April 24, 2015
If you don't get lost it should be about 50 -60 km round trip. We rented a car for two days from the local place I at the port (it's on the corner in between a bar and a ferry ticket seller -check google street view) they were great, spoke good English, unlimited km, didn't seem as fussy about all the walk around checks. If you drive stick shift its a lot easier and cheaper. Be aware that the roads are not like anything near your zip code!
Written June 13, 2015
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