Experience Greece

The legend of the Avgo monastery

The Avgo monastery which is located in the steep slopes of mount Avgo (Greek Αβγό, translated to “egg”) was built in the 14th century and is considered to be a hymn, a true achievement of the man’s faith. It is located in the southeastern portion of Argolida periphery near Pelei village and it is built literally on the edge of cliff, offering a magnificent view of the Rados river’s big canyon.

There are quite a few rumors regarding the abandoned monastery’s name but the most probable one is that it owes it to the mount (it is bald like an egg), upon which is built. However the local legend spreads from mouth to mouth and offers a different interpretation of the story. It refers to two mothers who had given birth to two paralytic infants and while approaching the site, prior to the monastery’s building, saw a vision with Virgin herself who told them that if they would throw their babies to the rocks, they would walk again.

The first woman did as Virgin instructed her with no hesitation and her child not only survived from the fall but managed to walk. However, the second woman decided in disbelief to throw towards the rocks an egg. Anticipating that the egg was still intact after the fall, she decided to throw her infant as well; inexplicably, it died a painful and tragic death…