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Skiathos is a famous tourist destination comprising of various monasteries, beaches and a lively nightlife. Most people who want a secluded quiet time with their spouse or family choose one of the Sporade islands here. You can plan your travel to Skiathos by air. It has an airport and flights to Skiathos are quite regular, especially from the European countries. Athens is where you can reach and then fly from Athens to Skiathos. One of the famous monasteries in Skiathos is the Monastery of Panagia Kounistria. There is a story behind this monastery and locals might come up and tell you what it is all about.

In 1655 there lived a hermit in his cell in these mountains of Skiathos. He was very devoted and prayed day and night. He saw a strange but striking light one night deep away in the woods. He became curious and anxious at the same time. To satisfy his curiosity he walked up into the woods following the bright light. While he was walking, the light abruptly disappeared. He felt somehow that it is a sign from God for his prayers.

The hermit finally came across a pine tree and was amazed to see an Icon of something that looked like Virgin Mary. He could not believe this but high up in the branches there it was. He stayed at that location for the entire night praying below the pine tree and when day broke he walked to the nearby castle and shared this experience with other people here. These people formed a group and immediately went up to the same spot where the hermit had seen the icon.

Since that moment the Virgin Mary also known as Iconistria, meaning an Icon which shines like a star, has been considered as a protective deity the island. Locals here will tell you about several ways in which they have been healed and how different kinds of miracles have happened since then. After some years a monastery was constructed near the same place where the icon was seen and the icon found by the hermit was kept in the monastery.

While King Otto was ruling the island the monasteries were closed because of his anti monastic command. The Monastery of Panagia Kounistria was also ignored for many years and the relics and the icon were shifted to another monastery. But it was simply with the dedicated efforts of the locals that the whole village was rebuilt and opened for visitors from all over the world.