Ioannis Prodromos Monastery lies just north of Mount Melissa and west of
Alykes. It’s around 20km from the islands capital
Zakynthos Town which would take around 30 minutes in a car.
Zakynthos may be best known for its classically Mediterranean beaches and resorts, but within its mountainous interior, you’ll find incredible historic gems like the Monastery of Ioannis Prodromos or Saint John the baptist Monastery.
This centuries old religious site has a long and storied past. Though the monastery was originally founded in the 1500s, it dissolved for a period and was later re-established in the 17th century at the hands of Anthony Marinos and George Sapatis.
Over the following hundreds of years, it developed stunning grounds and an impressive library, but sadly these were devastated by the great earthquake of 1953. Despite this upheaval, the monastery continues trudging on and a lone monk still lives here as efforts to restore the buildings move forward.
