The Monastery of Panagia Archaggeliotissa

The Monastery is built at the fringe of the mountain range of Rodopu, at an exquisite site, above the Samakov settlement of Xanthi.

The monastery’s present building, according to engraved testimony, was built in 1841, however it existed at the same site for hundreds of years before. It was completely destroyed in 1829 by two formidable earthquakes and the fire that followed, along with almost the mass of Xanthi’s old settlement. The only existing proof of its buildings is a monastery crypt behind the Church which is said to date as far back as 1000-1100 AD There is written testimony in Byzantine codices dating back to 1559 AD and 1608 AD.