A short distance south of the settlement, to the right of the road that descends to Kouselio, in a beautiful orchard is the recent church of the Panagia (Presentation of the Virgin Mary). The single-cell barrel-vaulted church was set in the central aisle and next to the apse of a large Early Christian basilica. Parts of its outer walls and the semicircular arch of the sanctuary are visible been unearthed from the monument, as well as inset architectural members. The altar fragment inscribed “ex voto for the salvation of the servant of God John” kept in the Nikiforio Collection is reported to have been found here. In the church of the Panagia is preserved the stela inscribed with the resolution honouring castellan Fanias. Another inscribed resolution comes from this area.
The possible location of the sanctuary of Apollo Lepsieus on the site is made more likely by references in an ancient resolution concerning the redrawing of the boundaries of the sanctuary. Apparently, the area of he sanctuary bound by “the river and the great rock, the road leading to Pelasgia, the other rock above the road” was quite large in relation to the size of the island. Close to the river and other topographical features are mentioned private fields located in the immediate vicinity of the sanctuary. Between the sanctuary and the fields there were nine boundaries named after their owners (descendants of the Kydimidae and Poulixideae). The number of boundaries indicates a large area. The sanctuary was the most important religious centre of Lepsia and public decrees and resolutions were set up there.
Archaeologist Anastasia Dreliosi-Iraklidou believes that the beautiful white marble akroterion found in Lipsi, probably came from the altar of the sanctuary, which has not yet been identified. It is a fine example of architectural decoration with elegant spirals and shapely palmettes. Unless it came from elsewhere -a similar example has been found in Patmos- this would be part of the decoration of the altar of Apollo Lepsieus, probably modelled on the monumental altar of Poseidon at Cape Monodendri, in the coast of Asia Minor opposite Lipsi or similar altars in the Milesian mainland.
Means of access:
Car, Pedestrian
Disabled access:
No
Opening hours:
Free
Entry fees:
Free
