The historic monastery of the Kimisis tis Theotokos Jerusalem (Assumption of the Virgin Mary) is located near Davlia at an altitude of 900 m on the forested eastern side of Mount Parnassos. It was probably founded in 1088 and since then it has been a remarkable historical and religious center. The monastery is protected from the four points of the horizon in an arrangement that resembles a medieval fortification as the inside of the walls are the cells of the monks. In 1766, in order to face the pressure exerted by the Turks, it was placed under the protection of the monastery of St Catherine of Sinai, which remained until 1905.

In the monastery`s sacristy are kept important relics that were rescued from the devastating consequences of raids, among which the collection of post-Byzantine icons and metalwork stands out. Among those that have survived are great works such as the portable icons of the late 16th century, Cretan style, works of the excellent hagiographer Nikolaos Kalergis. The most important ones are of the Pantocrator, the Virgin holding the little Jesus praying, the John the Forerunner depicted with wings as a harbinger of the Messiah and the Archangels holding a medal of the Lord.

During the period of the Greek Revolution against the Turks, the monastery served as a feeder and supply center for the revolted Greeks. One of the sights is the cavernous temple of Faneromeni near and a little higher than the monastery, which was a monk`s skete with frescoes of the same era as the portable icons. Next to the monastery there is a summer camping center of the monastery for children. The monastery functions as a female. Abbess: Nun Xeni. Tel.: +30 22610 52230

Monasteries have specific and strict visiting hours. Inform yourself before visiting.