DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4099#0489
450 MONASTERY OF MEGASPELIA.
the church, the monks seemed more desirous of showing their cellar,
which is indeed one of the finest in the world. It occupies the
greater part of the ground floor; and was filled with large casks,
which contain wine of a better quality than that usually found in
the Morea, and it is, moreover, always cool. Salique, enchanted by
the delicious sight, swore, by the sword of Mohamed, that he would
become a monk himself, if it could be done without abandoning the
religion of the prophet. The church is incrusted with ancient mar-
bles, embellished with gilding, and sanctified with the paintings of
Panagias and Saints. It is illuminated with silver lamps, but badly
lighted from without.
Megaspelia is the largest monastery in Greece, and owes its founda-
tion or completion to the Greek emperors John Cantacuzene and An-
dronicus, and Constantine Palaeologus. It supports about four hun-
dred and fifty monks, most of wrhom are dispersed about the country,
and engaged in superintending the metochia, and cultivating the
land. Its currant plantations are considerable, and produce 80,000
pounds weight annually. It is a (oaa-^r/.a fMHoumigt*, or royal mo-
nastery, and enjoys great privileges. The hegouinenos, or abbot, is
elected yearly; but the same individual is frequently re-elected, if
his conduct has been approved. When they cease to hold that place
they are denominated Kgotyovpevoi, and are more respected than the
other monks.
The palladium of this monastery is an image of the Virgin, that is
said to have been made by Saint Luke. This attracts the visits of
pilgrims, and makes a great addition to the revenue of the pious
establishment. The situation of Megaspelia is damp, and the monks
are subject to the rheumatism.
The country round the monastery is rich in combinations of pic-
turesque grandeur and sublimity. Woods ot aged growth are seen
upon the mountains; and the rocks are precipitously bold.
The largest monastery in the Morea, after that of Megaspelia, is
Taxiarchi, which is about an hour and a half from Bostitza towards
the church, the monks seemed more desirous of showing their cellar,
which is indeed one of the finest in the world. It occupies the
greater part of the ground floor; and was filled with large casks,
which contain wine of a better quality than that usually found in
the Morea, and it is, moreover, always cool. Salique, enchanted by
the delicious sight, swore, by the sword of Mohamed, that he would
become a monk himself, if it could be done without abandoning the
religion of the prophet. The church is incrusted with ancient mar-
bles, embellished with gilding, and sanctified with the paintings of
Panagias and Saints. It is illuminated with silver lamps, but badly
lighted from without.
Megaspelia is the largest monastery in Greece, and owes its founda-
tion or completion to the Greek emperors John Cantacuzene and An-
dronicus, and Constantine Palaeologus. It supports about four hun-
dred and fifty monks, most of wrhom are dispersed about the country,
and engaged in superintending the metochia, and cultivating the
land. Its currant plantations are considerable, and produce 80,000
pounds weight annually. It is a (oaa-^r/.a fMHoumigt*, or royal mo-
nastery, and enjoys great privileges. The hegouinenos, or abbot, is
elected yearly; but the same individual is frequently re-elected, if
his conduct has been approved. When they cease to hold that place
they are denominated Kgotyovpevoi, and are more respected than the
other monks.
The palladium of this monastery is an image of the Virgin, that is
said to have been made by Saint Luke. This attracts the visits of
pilgrims, and makes a great addition to the revenue of the pious
establishment. The situation of Megaspelia is damp, and the monks
are subject to the rheumatism.
The country round the monastery is rich in combinations of pic-
turesque grandeur and sublimity. Woods ot aged growth are seen
upon the mountains; and the rocks are precipitously bold.
The largest monastery in the Morea, after that of Megaspelia, is
Taxiarchi, which is about an hour and a half from Bostitza towards