Location   Kalavryta is a small town, with 2000 inhabitants, small houses surrounded by plane-trees and poplar-trees. In the heart of all Greeks it is a symbol of freedom, a place of mathyrdom, a sacred spot. At a distance of 6 km from Kalavryta on a very beautiful spot, one finds the Monastery of Agia Lavra, one of the most important historical places of our country. Their is public transport to Kalavryta every day from Athens, Patras and Aigion. One can also get there from Diakofto (22km) by rack-railway. History of the Monastery   The Holy Monastery of Agia Lavra is deticated to the Dormition of the Virgin. The Monastery has another feast day on 17th March, the feast of Saint Alexios, who¢s holy skull is kept in the Monastery. According to tradition and to existing information, the history of the Monastery begins during the days of the emperor Nikiforos Foka. This emperor supported Hosios Athanasios Athonitits to build the Monastery Great Lavra on Mount Athos. Hosios Athanios had two other ascets with him. After a disagreement one of them left for Kiev in Russia where he founded the Monastery Aghia Lavra. The other one,named Evgenios came to the Peloponnese and in 961 A.D. built the Monastery of Aghia Lavra, at a distance of 10 minutes from the present Monastery. More and more anachorites kept coming to the Monastery, at a certain time there were as many as 960. So the Monastery became one of the most important centers of Christianity and under the Turkish Rule a center of Revolt. The Turks burnt the Old Monastery to the ground in 1585, because of this the monks went away to daughter houses. For many years the Monastery remains a ruin. In 1600 it was rebuilt by an inhabitant from Kalavryta, named John, later Abbot of the Monastery. Afterwards the Monastery flourished under the leadership of Abbot Evgenios. In 1689 on March 19th a new Monastery was built.(a single -aisle structure capped by a dome without support, built as on Mt. Athos) Some of its frescoes are still preserved. Then the Monastery underwent difficult times :fires, plundering, monks were murdered. On May 14th 1826 Ibrahim set the Monastery on fire. Two years later in 1828 the Monastery was rebuilt on its present location. On July 24 1844 the Monastery was destroyed by an earthquake, to be completely rebuilt as a basilica with a dome, with cells all around. On December 13th 1943 the Nazis burnt down the cells and storehouses, and shot down 3 monks, who hadn¢t left the Monastery and a n assistant. Afterwards the other monks returned with the relics and the sacred banner. In 1950 a renovation took place, the Monastery thus taking its present appearance. Then there was a period with only a few monks at the Monastery to be followed by a new period full of hope under the leadership of the enthusiastic, active Abbott Filareto Konstantakopoulos. He gathered around him new monks who gave a new breath of life to the Monastery. The Monastery 's Contribution to the Nation   During the Turkish Rule, although it was a very difficult time, the monks of Aghia Lavra always showed an optimistic faith.The Monastery, without of course detracting from its other contributions to the nation, became a radiant beacon, a symbol a freedom. Because it was this very place that became the site and focal point of the declaration of Greece¢s independence from the Turks and the place where the Revolutionary War started. It was under the dome of its main church that Germanos, Bishop of Old Patras, raised the standard that signaled the beginning of the Revolution on March 21, 1821. Indeed, Aghia Lavra is a striking example of what the Monasteries have contributed to the Greek Nation. The Monastery 's Treasures The Sacred Banner The most precious treasure of the Monastery is the banner, the first flag of the Greek Nation.It was made in Smyrna donated to the Monastery and originally used as the veil of the Beautiful Gate of the Monastery¢s iconostasis. Then Germanos, Bishop of old Patras used it as a symbol-flag, and it was beneath this banner that the patriots made their solemn vows to liberate their enslaved country. It is a work of exceptional beauty and workmanship. It is 1,20m. In length and 0,95m. In width ). On it is embroided the icon of the Dormition of the Virgin. It is made with deep religious feeling and inspiration. It depicts the Virgin on her death bed Angels hover above. In their midst, Christ stands holding in His arm a small figure symbolizing the Soul of the Virgin. (picture) During the patriots first foray to liberate the town of Kalavryta a Turkish bullet pierced the banner and left its mark where the head of the angel on the left was. Today the Sacred Banner is preserved in a special case. It is the pride and joy of the Monastery. Epitaph from 1754, embroided in Smyrna by a Greek Christian woman. Icon of St.George from 1800, embroided in Constantinople by Kokona of Rologa. Gospel A gift from the empresses of Russia, Czarina Katherine 2nd the Great. The Vestments of Archbishop Germanos. (Gold embroided ) Relicks   In the reliquaries of the Monastery the relics are kept from many saints of our church. The most precious is the Holy Skull of Saint Alexios, the Man of God. It was a gift from the emperor Emmanuel Paleologos in 1398. He St. Alexios feast day (17th March) is celebrated in Agia Lavra and in the daughter house St. Alexios, Patras. Library   The Monastery possesses a large and rich library with many manuscripts, documents and books. The Monasteries effectively contributed to the education of the people during the dark period of the Turkish occupation of Greece. Aghia Lavra possesses approximately 3000 publications. The oldest one dates back to 1502. In the formation of the library played an important role: initially Kirilos Lovriotis in 1976 and much later in 1929 the Kalavrytan teacher and monk Grigorios Ioannidis. Monument   On an overlooking hill, north of the Monastery in an extremely beautiful surrounding stands a war memorial, a hero¢s tomb in honour and memory of the heroes of the Revolutionary War of 1821. The unveiling of the memorial took place on 24th of March 1971. Since that date every year on March 21 national manifestations are held in the presence of public authorities. Address - The holy Monastery of Aghia Lavra 25001 Kalavryta Telephone-0692-22323 Visiting hours - October - April 10 a.m. - 1p.m. and 3p.m.-4p.m. May-September 10a.m.-1p.m. and 4p.m.-5p.m.