filerimos monastery

We arrived at the hilltop site of Filerimos, which included ruins from the 3rd century BC, the foundations at a Temple and a picturesque path leading to the westernmost point of the hill. The Monastery of Panagia Filerimos is located on the hill which was above Ialyssos, about 10 km from Rhodes. The monastery is dedicated to Virgin Mary the Life-Giving Source and its architecture is much different than the usual monasteries in Greece.

The Monastery of Filerimos sits is on a hill overlooking the small town of Ialyssos and the Bays of Ixia and Trianda. In Byzantine and Knight’s periods, the hill was used as a fortress and in the 13th century the Monastery of the Virgin Mary was built here. There were so many peacocks and peahens with chicks roaming the grounds, an unusual sight. A wide stone staircase, with tall cypress trees on both sides leads to this beautiful, well maintained monastery. Towards the rear of the monastery are the foundations of the Temple of Zeus and Athena Polias from the 2nd -3rd Centuries BC, a Doric fountain, Byzantine fortifications and other historical monuments. Great panoramic views of Rhodes from this location. Along the opposite side of the Monastery is the Path of Golgotha or the Path of Calvary, with the 14 Stations of the Cross on brass plaques marking the various events that happened along the way to the hill. This pathway also leads to an enormous 18m tall concrete cross. From here are breathtaking views of Rhodes Island and Mt. Attavyros, the highest mountain in Rhodes. The tiny aisle-less Chapel of St. George near the cross apparently also belongs to the 15th Century Byzantine period.

We got married here. It is so beautiful. Can't imagine getting married anywhere other than Rhodes as it is such a relaxed beautiful place but this place just had it all. I still look at my wedding photos and not only do I feel blessed for marrying my best friend I did it in the most beautiful place.

Fantastic views with lots of history with numerous buildings that have been built for religious purposes other the centuries along with the fact that some have remanence of bullet hole fire during the second world war. The climb to the large 80 ft cross is well worth it.

We decided to visit Filerimos as we were heading towards the airport before we left and I am so pleased we did. The drive was exciting as the signs for the place stopped about two miles before it appeared; on top of a really steep hill. The views are amazing, especially around the giant cross - which is very impressive itself. This is free but there is a fee to visit the Monastery grounds. The Monastery complex is very beautiful and I imagine will look completely different at different times of the day. Any photographers would love the light and shadows of the buildings here. If you remember there is a number of look-out points with seemingly nobody around, which overlook the island. The one towards Rhodes town was particularly impressive and I had the added bonus of a plane coming in to land at the same height as the platform. The many peacocks around the place do add to the sense of spectacle. It is a very beautiful and quiet place to visit and may not be to everybody's taste but I've visited Rhodes 5 times and was so pleased to have found this, it added another dimension to the island I never knew about.

We rented a fourwheeler and drove from ialyssos to Filerimos to see the monarchy. It was a lovely historic adventure, its beatiful to see such old item being kept for year. Suggest everybody to visit when in Rhodes

Filerimos has everything for the discerning lovers of antiquity: the ruins of the ancient city Yalisa, ruins of the temple of Zeus and Athena, knightly castles and cathedrals Christian XV - XVIII centuries with well-preserved frescoes.You can climb to the highest point of the mountain. Path, nicknamed "The Way to Calvary", because numerous bas-reliefs on Christian themes established throughout the road. It is believed that "The Way to Calvary" equals the distance which was Jesus, picking up his cross on the ancient hill."The Way to Calvary" crowned by a gigantic cross, which also can be reached by the spiral and cramped stairs. Those who are afraid of heights better not to climb up. Although the views of Rhodes and Ixia here open dizzying. Especially at sunset.

What a beautiful and surprisingly relaxing place, I say surprisingly because of the noise the hundreds of peacocks make. The Monastery and it's grounds are littered with peacocks all calling out to on another and once one starts they all start, it was fantastic to see and hear. The Monastery buildings themselves are very well maintained and give a great insight into life all those thousands of years ago. Make sure you walk behind the Monastery and check out the fantastic panoramic views of Rhodes Town and surroundings. I gather that this Monastery normally costs however if you go on a Sunday you'll get free admission.The Filerimos Cross is also another must see, just a short walk from the Monastery along a beautiful tree lined pathway is the cross which also offers fantastic views but in the other direction. If you can and if you're not afraid of heights then make sure you climb the cross but I stress only if you're not afraid of heights.Even the drive up to the Monastery is something to behold, as you climb the winding road the occasional clearing gives way to another brilliant view.

I visited on my final day on Rhodes, thinking it would be a quiet goodbye but instead was treated to a last hurrah. The restored Byzantine fortifications were impressive, the monastery itself beautiful and the view from the top of the cross absolutely breathtaking. I did however also enjoy going, ahem, off-piste and discovering unsignposted and abandoned early-mid 20th century fortifications overlooking the sea.

Well worth a visit. The monastery is the most tranquil and peaceful place to visit with stunning icons and fantastic architecture. It feels like stepping back into medieval times. There are also other ancient ruins to see and the walk to the cross on the hill is interesting and the views are stunning. The entry fee to the monastery is 3 euros, but please be aware that you are asked to dress appropriately ie; not too short shorts and wear a shirt over your vest top . Not too much to ask.

This recent trip was the 4th time to Rhodes for hubby and myself, and I vowed that this time we were going to make the effort to visit Filerimos.I had always been intrigued by the site of the huge cross on the mountain top , which we had seen many times lit up at night , it is one of the first things we see when we are driving from Rhodes airport to our accommodation down in Pefkos. I recently found out that you can go up to the top of the cross and the horizontal part of the structure is a lookout point.The drive up to the higher ground of the area is nice once you get up there , and there is a little shop in the grounds where you can get refreshments or sit and have a frappe. The whole of the site of the monastery gardens are nice with roaming peacocks and peahens (we saw a mother and her six chicks going for a morning stroll)The star of the show tho is the cross, you climb to the top via a narrow winding staircase , so if anyone is not too good on these .....just something to consider . It can get a little crowded up there if one doesn't consider their fellow tourists - just be patient ,wait your turn and you will be rewarded with the most amazing views.

A drive away from Rhodes & Illayossos but well worth it for the fantastic views, beautiful via dolorosa & tiny church, very old monastary

Knight's Monastery up in the hill in the Ialyssos area. Very nice view of all the Ialyssos and the sea. Very well preserved monastery and an ancient temple at the same area.

If you are in the area of Trianda looking for something to do then a visit to the nearby Filerimos Monastery is well worth the time. Set up on a hill the easiest way is by car then a short walk up to the Monastery itself. Although there is limited access to the building the area is not normally busy with tourists and there are plenty of shady seats to rest on. A short walk away from the Monastery leads to a huge cross which has an access stairway to the top.from where the views over the surrounding area are wondeful.

I love Filerimos with the ancient monastery and the route to Golgotha with the peacocks. From the big cement cross you have the best view for sunset at Ialysos beach!