Where Lake Vistonida meets the Thracian Sea, in the lagoon of Porto Lagos, on the islets, stands one of the most beautiful monasteries in Greece.
From Macedonia to Crete and from the Dodecanese to the Ionian, Greece is dotted with imposing monasteries built in the countrys most beautiful landscapes. Some are perched on rocks above cliffs, while others seem to float on the sea. Here, spiritual devotion coexists with the unparalleled beauty of nature.
One of the most beautiful monasteries of Northern Greece lies at Porto Lagos on the border between the prefectures of Xanthi and Rhodope and specifically at the point where Lake Vistonida meets the Thracian Sea, in a wonderful location that blends the green of the forest with the blue of the sea. We are talking about the historic Church of Saint Nicholas, a monastic complex within the lagoon, on two small islets joined by a wooden bridge.
The «floating» Monastery of Saint Nicholas in Porto Lagos
One of the loveliest places in Northern Greece, the Vistonida lagoon, hides a small yet enchanting destination: the picturesque fishing village of Porto Lagos. For most visitors, this quiet fishing village, located 25 km from Xanthi, is synonymous with the impressive monastic structure of Saint Nicholas, which belongs to the Vatopedi Monastery of Mount Athos.
The monastery is built on two islets: on the first islet stands the Church of Saint Nicholas, while on the second islet is the church of Panagia Pantanassa with a copy of her miraculous icon, which is kept at the Vatopedi Monastery. A wooden pedestrian bridge connects the islets to each other and a second to the mainland.
The sight of hundreds of birds around the picturesque Church of Saint Nicholas in the middle of the lagoon is unique and the landscape serene - perfect for relaxing and taking photos. Here you will encounter many species of birds (pelicans, storks, flamingos, etc.), which live and breed in Lake Vistonida.
Lake Vistonida: The jewel of Thrace
Lake Vistonida is the fourth largest lake in Greece, with a total area of 45. 000 stremmata, a maximum length of 12.5 km, a maximum width of 7 km and an average depth of 4 meters. Many do not know that it is one of the worlds largest wetlands and is protected by the Ramsar Convention. In the lake, 227 bird species have been recorded, some of them particularly rare, such as the ferruginous duck, the pygmy cormorant and the lesser white-fronted goose. This is why the Nestos Delta and Lake Vistonida are included in the EUs Special Protection Areas for birds and in the Natura 2000 network.
