Katavati - Sifnos (Greece)

Katavati. Katavati is an ancient village on the Greek island of Sifnos, located at the foot of Mount Profitis Ilias, one and a half kilometers (almost 1 mi) from Apollonia. It is a traditional village with whitewashed houses and narrow alleyways. In the village are some beautiful churches such as Panagia Katavati.

One and a half kilometers (a little over a mile) south of Katavati is the Acropolis of Aghios Andreas, with its ancient ruins and walls of a settlement from antiquity. The Mycenaeans erected the Cyclopean walls in the 13^th century.

At the top of the mountain of Profitis Ilias is the monastery of the same name, dating from the 8^th century. It is one of the oldest Byzantine monasteries, but is no longer inhabited. The Profitis Ilias Monastery has impressive architecture with many underground passages. Once, when attacked by pirates, the monks used the passages to hide. There is also an ancient Greek tower/observatory that was used to alert residents of pirate attacks. Every year on July the 20^th a celebration is held at the monastery to honor Prophet Ilias.

Text: Yorgos and Wendy Nikolidakis - Edited by Katrina Butzer

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Katavati in other languages

• Katavati (GriekseGids.nl)
   
• Katavati (GriekseGids.be)
   
• Katavati (GreeceGuide.co.uk)
   
• Katavati (GriechenlandWeb.de)

Sifnos: Where on the map is Katavati located?