Monastery of Vulcano
The 15th of August is one of the biggest religious celebrations in Greece after Easter and Christmas and here in Messinia,the main focus of those celebrations include the Holy Monastery of Voulkanos.
During the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary,In the old monastery, is transferred from the new one (located lower) the icon of Panagia Boylkaniwtissas, bearing the inscription "Odigitria the one known as Ta oroi boylkanw" which is attributed to Luke the Evangelist.
The monastery of Voulkanos or Boyrkanoy is located at the top of Mount Ithomi at the point where, in antiquity, was the Acropolis of ancient Messini with the sanctuary of Ithomata Zeus. This is where the inhabitants of Messina fled when their city was destroyed by the Goths in 395 B.C.
This particular point is considered sacred since ancient times and therefore was chosen as a place of erection of the monastery at the beginning of the 8th century during the period of iconoclasm. The monastery was dedicated to the Dormition of the 'Theotokos' / Virgin Mary as now days is now the "Katholikon" of the new monastery,which is based a bit lower.
The ascent to the Monastery From the archaeological site of Ithomis , is a bit difficult but the view to ancient Messini and to the Messinian Gulf will surely compensate you.