Nea Moni of Chios

About the museum

According to tradition, Nea Moni was founded on the spot where three hermits from Chios found an icon of the Virgin Mary in the branches of a myrtle. It was built with imperial patronage by the porphyrogenite daughters of Emperor Constantine VIII, Theodora and Zoe, and by Zoe’s husband, Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos. Monomachos endowed the monastery with estates and tax exemptions, and Nea Moni became one of the richest and best-known monasteries of the Aegean, until its decline with the Greek War of Independence.

The katholikon, dedicated to the Mother of God, is an outstanding example of the island octagonal church and was built from 1042 to 1055. It was decorated with mosaics by artists from Constantinople, and these mosaics are regarded as masterpieces of Byzantine art. Around the katholikon a precinct gradually rose, with a three-storey tower, a vaulted refectory, chapels and wings with cells.

The katholikon suffered damage in the Massacre of Chios in 1822 and in the earthquake of 1881, but most of the mosaic decoration and fragments of the polychrome marble revetment survive. Since 1990 Nea Moni has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Highlights

• Mosaics of the katholikon, masterpieces of Byzantine art
• Octagonal church of the 11th century
• Vaulted refectory and three-storey tower
• Museum collection of the monastery
• UNESCO World Heritage monument

Operated by

Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Χίου

Admission & discounts

Free admission: 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October, as well as every first and third Sunday of the month from 1 November to 31 March.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The site is described as accessible for people with disabilities. The museum collection has an external staircase and is not accessible by wheelchair, while the refectory area has a ramp.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Nea Moni is about 20 minutes by car from the city centre. There is no public transport; access is by private car or taxi.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

On site there are toilets and a car park. In the museum collection there is a shop selling books, cards and an archaeological guidebook.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.