A terrestrial …island

It looks like an island but you don’t need a ferry to reach it. Monastiraki has cobblestoned streets but no tourist shops; it has old houses with balconies that overlook the sea, courtyards where neighbors

 meet in the evenings, cobbled staircases that lead to the water. Early in the morning, the air is humming with the quite conversations between the fishermen and those coming to the wharf to buy fresh fish, and later with the noise of the patrons in the local taverns which stay open until late night. Not far from Monastiraki we find Parathalasso, a narrow pebbled beach, organized with umbrellas and sun beds.

The cold waters -typical of the greater area, even in August – are refreshing and stimulating for body and mind. The low temperature of the water is due to some springs flowing from the southern part of the Pindos ridge. Monastiraki features stone cottages and houses with dark red and blue windows, partially hidden behind olive trees, gum trees, pine trees and tall palm trees. This place could be anywhere in the highlands of Peloponnese or in Pilio; yet, we find it a mere eight km off Nafpaktos. Monastiraki was built in 1907 in a way that lets the sea embrace its houses and the rocks form one of the most charming stoned esplanades in Greece.

Notwithstanding the decrees that declared Monastiraki a site of outstanding natural beauty, some recent additions somehow blurred the image of a village that remained totally unspoiled over time. In any case, it still is the most picturesque village in Fokida, popular with visitors from Athens and Patras each summer.

Back in 1930’s Monastiraki was the center of commerce for the entire mountainous region of Dorida, with daily boat connections to Patras and Psathopyrgos. In the middle of the village we find St. Mark’s Church, featuring a beautifully crafted wooden temple, which was erected on top of the ruins of an older monastery.

{shareit}