Does anyone know why the little church was build up on the headland? I believe the smaller memorial / shrine was built in memory of a young girl who died.
I came across the following information about shrines, which some of you may find interesting. I never knew they were called 'kandylakia' & I didn't realise that they also represent 'spared lives'
http://www.helleniccomserve.com/kandylakia.html (http://www.helleniccomserve.com/kandylakia.html)
Sara
That's really interesting Sara....I always thought they were in memory of lives lost, not spared.
Interesting reading Sara i just love these little shrines the workmanship on some of them is brilliant
Tony
I also heared the small shrine was in memory of a young girl, who sadly took her own life. Something to do with her feeling she was a disappointment to her parents cos of exams or something. At least, thats the story I was told. Very sad!
Paul
Used to marvel at all the tiny model churches scattered around the Greek islands thinking about the time and effort people made to make them. That is until we went to Santorini and walked past what could only be termed a builders Merchants and there the little churches were. Available in flatpack.
Must admit though that quite often they are painted nicely and cared for.
Now that you mention it Rothers, I'm sure I've seen them in builder's yards in Corfu too.
Most, as you say are decorated beautifully, but I saw one once which looked as if it had been decorated with bright pink Angel Delight!
I can't remember where I read the information, but it was on a website about Arillas. The 'Little Church' on the headland was erected in memory of the son of a local resident, who was out rounding up his father's goats and at the age of 14, noticed a goat had fallen down the cliff. He went down to rescue the goat and fell to the foot of the cliff and both survived the fall. The young man later became a priest and served his priesthood on on one of the three islands off the coast of Arillas. The shrine was erected in his memory to give thanks for his spared life. Will try to get the full story again and update.
Yammas,
Martin.
Thanks Martin. So that one was built to represent a 'spared life' I always assumed that it represented a 'lost life' I won't feel so sad when I walk pass now.
Your information is very interesting & the location where it's built makes sense. It's sure to be visible [with binoculars!] from the islands.