Εκκλησιαστικό Μουσείο Παναγίας του Κάστρου Λέρου

Ecclesiastical museum next to the church of Panagia tou Kastrou on Leros, with icons, manuscripts and liturgical relics.

Opening hours unknown

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About the museum

The church of Panagia tou Kastrou stands on the western side of the Castle of Pantelli, high on Pitys hill on Leros. A church dedicated to the Virgin Mary has stood there since the 11th century, and its present form took shape in 1719, when an older, smaller church was extended. The carved wooden iconostasis dates from 1745 and holds three high-quality portable icons of the 16th century. The church also houses the icon of the Theotokos Vrefokratousa, the Virgin holding the Child, patron saint of the island.

The ecclesiastical museum is housed in a more recent building next to the church. There, rare manuscripts and liturgical books, precious icons, vestments and other church objects are on display. The church treasury is in two elongated buildings east of the church, which were excavated and restored.

A school operated in the Castle from 1726 until the mid-18th century. It was founded by the Leros monk Damaskinos and had a rich library of manuscripts and printed books. The castle itself has Byzantine origins and is linked to Saint Christodoulos, founder of the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian on Patmos.

Highlights

Rare manuscripts and liturgical books
Precious portable icons
Vestments and church vessels
Church of the Virgin Mary with an iconostasis from 1745
Icon of the Theotokos Vrefokratousa, patron saint of the island