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The Monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin Noten is a male convent next to the village Siadas. Initially, it was built in 1530 in “Pano Panagia” on the ruins of an ancient temple, probable Apollo’s one, but it was later rebuilt in a lower part due to adverse conditions. There have been carried out maintenance, renovation and expansion works in both the old and the new place with the findings, and the Hagiographies mesmerize the visitors.

This point of interest is Mountainous and Rural. It is accessible all year round. It is not accessible through public transport. It has no fee or ticket.

Near the village of Skiada, on one of the slopes of Erymanthos, is built the Monastery which received its name either from the Notides family, which helped in its construction, or from the Albanian form of the word Panagiotis (Notis). It is a male monastery, dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin.

Historical data

The original monastery of Notena was probably built in the 16th century (1530) above the current monastery, near the top of the mountain. Today, the cells of this first monastery lie in piles of stones, but their enclosure can be seen. There is also an old temple dedicated to the Virgin, which is based on an ancient temple, probably of Apollo, whose columns, capitals and other architectural elements are preserved.

The church of the Virgin is now 3 meters high, has no windows and has excellent frescoes from the 17th century. and below them other older ones, of saints, of which 3-4 are preserved.

The main temple at the base and along its entire length has been built with extremely large, perfectly rectangular and processed stones, clearly from the nave of an ancient Greek temple. The roof is supported by Byzantine arches and the church is divided into three equal parts (sanctuary - main church - narthex). The slab also of the Holy Table rests on an extremely well-preserved half-doric capital.

Due to the adverse weather conditions that prevailed there and the strong winds, the monks abandoned this monastery and went down about 500 meters below, where they built the New Monastery.

The church of the monastery was demolished due to landslides and only the bell tower was saved, a building of 1833 as it is written on it. A new church dedicated to Saint Gerasimos was built in its place.

In 1902, a church was built outside the monastery's precinct where the miraculous silver-plated icon of the Virgin Noteniotissa is kept. It has a nice wood-carved iconostasis and old pictures. It is of the Basilica style with a small bell tower on its roof.

In April 1821, it is alleged that the Turks attacked the monastery and to avenge the insult, Deli Giorgis of Giannias joined them and was killed. There is even a folk song that refers to this event.

After the liberation of the Nation, the Monastery was not dissolved, but was considered preserved because it had income and history. For this purpose, in the year 1837 many repairs were made from the damages it had suffered and in October 1838, following the actions of the bishop of Achaia, the broken small monastery of Saint John the Baptist the Chosen of Nikava was granted to it.

In the past it was rich with many monks, while today it has only one monk.

Priest Joachim, whose origin was from the village of Skiada, lived and was buried in the monastery during the 17th century. According to an inscription found in a manuscript of the Notenon monastery, Priest Joachim, after building the monastery of Panagia in Dibri, came to the Notenon monastery and became a professor. However, after the passage of years, he resigned from this office and retired to a cave higher up the new monastery where he became an ascetic. Inside this cave today there is a temple dedicated to Saint Joachim.

Photo source: Official website of the Municipality of Erymanthos & Tourist guide of the Municipality of Erymanthos: ( visit-erymanthos.gr ) & Skiadas Achaia Cultural & Dance Association

Source: Website of the Municipality of Erymanthos - erymanthou.gov.gr