Holy Monastery of Agios Antonios in Siapka
The Holy Monastery of Saint Anthony of Siapka is a historic and spiritual sanctuary, hidden within the beautiful Pieria Mountains, located 12 kilometers from Kastania and 18 kilometers from Servia. The monastery was founded in the 11th century and remained active until the mid-18th century. According to tradition, Saint Anthony once passed through the area, found refuge there, and eventually made it his permanent residence until his old age. The monastery church, a single-nave basilica with a narthex, is of particular architectural interest, while the traces of its old frescoes –though worn by time– still preserve something of the site’s mystical atmosphere. Of particular interest is a room where individuals with mental disorders once resided, as it was then believed that staying near the sacred site would aid their healing. Each year, on 1 September, the monastery comes alive again through the annual celebration in honor of Saint Anthony, gathering pilgrims and visitors who ascend into the Pieria Mountains to experience the unique atmosphere of the place.
