MONASTERY OF PANAGIA TSAMPIKA
The Monastery of Panagia Tsambika is located about 25 km south of Rhodes Town, between Kolymbia and Archangelos.
The old monastery of Tsambika is built on top of a hill with gorgeous view to the sea and the surrounding area, while the new monastery, which works today, is found on the road that connects Archangelos to Rhodes Town.
At the top of the hill at an altitude of 320 meters is the oldest monastery of Panagia tsampika.Walk on a winding and steep path, about 500 meters long, passing through a forest of cypress trees.
The hill offers panoramic view of the surrounding area.The new monastery was renovated in 1760 A.D.It is a temple of Dodecanese type and the floor has traditional shingles also observed in other churches in the area.The wooden temple is very beautiful and it is believed to be older than the 17th century A.D.
The monastery celebrates on September 8th, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin.
The small icon of the Virgin Mary was miraculously found on the hill.
The name Tsampika, according to tradition came from the local dialect Word “tsampa” which means spark and refers to the way the icon was retrieved.