Monastery of Kaisariani

The Monastery of Kaisariani lies in a deep, green valley on the slopes of Mount Hymettus, two kilometres from the modern suburb of the same name. The site was sacred long before the monastery was built: from prehistoric times, Hymettus was considered a holy mountain, a dwelling of the gods in Attica. The monastery itself is the most distinguished monument on the mountain, built among its deep folds. Its history is inseparable from that of the city below. The valley covers an area of 5,000 stremmata and forms part of the Hymettus Aesthetic Forest. A singular local tradition occurs every Holy Saturday afternoon: the Epitaphios is carried in procession, the only such procession in Attica to take place in daylight.