At a distance of 12 kilometers far from the small town of Siatista, on the national road of Kozani - Kastoria and very close to the village of Mikrokastro, is situated the beautiful monastery of Panagia (Virgin Mary) of Mikrokastro, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary with the miraculous icon of Virgin Mary.
It was founded in the 18th century and the temple was built in 1797 and has frescoes of exceptional art. The monastery had significant action in the national struggles. In 1993 the monastery was converted into a nunnery and the first nuns settled. Today there are about 20 nuns who are guided by the elder nun named Theologia.
The conformation and beautification of the monastery’s courtyards, the renovation works, the constitution of the sorority and its spiritual radiance make it one of the most important monasteries in the prefecture of Kozani and Macedonia in general.
The miraculous icon of the Theotokos (Virgin Mary), the protector of the monastery dates back to 1603 and is located in the iconostasis of the Catholic. The people of Siatista and the whole region are bonded with the monastery and the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary.
On 15th August large groups with fully decorated horses come to worship the Virgin Mary of Mikrokastro. At noon they return to the city, where the feast lasts until the early morning hours. A custom-feast of bravery, which is rooted in the years of Ottoman domination and is more commonly known as “The Riders of Siatista” and every year brings together a large number of visitors from all over Hellas as it is the most magnificent celebration of the 15th of August in Western Macedonia.
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