Holy Church of the Virgin Mary Glykophilousa
Ιερός Ναός Παναγίας Γλυκοφιλούσας
Visitors say
The church of the sweet kiss enchants you. The stairs are easy to climb. A great little cliché. The view is perfect
Simply beautiful. You get a view of the whole town plus visit a blessed, timeless Greek Orthodox Church. NOTE....you have to WALK UP. Park the car in the local car park. NO CARS go up or near. Lovely walk via the town shops.
About
Perched atop a dramatic monolithic rock that rises some thirty metres from the centre of the village, the Holy Church of the Virgin Mary Glykophilousa is one of the most iconic and instantly recognisable landmarks on the island of Lesvos. It is this great bare rock that gave the north-coast village of Petra its name, and the church crowning it has drawn pilgrims and travellers alike for centuries. To reach it, visitors climb a staircase of 114 steps carved directly into the rock face, a steady ascent that rewards the effort with sweeping views over the turquoise bay, the terracotta rooftops below, and the wide Aegean stretching toward the horizon.
The church is dedicated to the Glykophilousa, a venerated iconographic type of the Virgin Mary in which she is depicted in a tender embrace with the Christ child, cheek pressed softly to cheek. The name itself means something close to "sweetly kissing" in Greek, and the icon housed within the church has long been the object of deep local devotion. Built during the eighteenth century, the whitewashed chapel is modest in scale but rich in atmosphere, its interior cool and hushed, lit by the glow of oil lamps and filled with the scent of incense and beeswax. Votive offerings left by the faithful line the walls, each one a quiet testament to answered prayers.
For visitors to Petra, the climb to the Glykophilousa is essentially a rite of passage. Whether you come as a pilgrim, a curious traveller, or simply someone drawn by the view, the experience combines physical effort with a genuine sense of arrival at something meaningful. The village square below, with its kafeneions and tavernas shaded by mulberry trees, makes a welcoming place to rest afterward and absorb the unhurried rhythm of northern Lesvos life.
Before you go
What to expect
The 114 steps cut into the bare rock demand real effort, and that effort is the point — by the time you step inside the small whitewashed chapel at the top, the cool, incense-scented quiet feels earned. Oil lamps glow against rows of votive offerings left by generations of the faithful, and the view back down over the turquoise bay and terracotta rooftops of Petra is one of the finest on the island. Afterwards, the kafeneions in the square under the mulberry trees are an ideal place to let the legs recover.
Best time to visit
Late spring (May) and early autumn (September–October) are best for the climb — the open rock steps get punishingly hot in July and August.
How to get there
Petra is on the north coast, roughly an hour's drive from Mytilene along the northern road. The monolithic rock and its staircase are impossible to miss in the village centre — simply follow the main square.
Details
Categories
Photos
Visitor Reviews
Cihan E.
August 2025
One of the places in Lesvos that I believe should definitely be visited is the village of Petra; with its narrow streets, seaside charm, and lively atmosphere, it is truly a delightful stop. At the center of the village, the Holy Church of the Virgin Mary Glykophilousa, built on top of a massive rock, offers a fascinating experience with both its view and atmosphere.
İbrahim Nil
June 2025
The church of the sweet kiss enchants you. The stairs are easy to climb. A great little cliché. The view is perfect
D. Harilaou
September 2024
A place to worship and ponder, a holy place. Went today to pray with my wife and I feel so blessed to be able to get up there. A year and a few days ago have gone by, since the double back fusion surgery, and had no pain or concerns walking up the stairs. She (Virgin Mary) has guided my steps back to this holy place, 34 years after the last time I prayed here and I know she is protecting my steps everyday. Faith is everything!
Thomay Kamberos
July 2024
Simply beautiful. You get a view of the whole town plus visit a blessed, timeless Greek Orthodox Church. NOTE....you have to WALK UP. Park the car in the local car park. NO CARS go up or near. Lovely walk via the town shops.
Phil White
June 2024
Such a peaceful place, didn't enter the church. Sat outside, relaxed, listened to the birds and appreciated the view. Fantastic place to see the sunset
Zbyszko S
September 2023
Beautiful place, high above the sea. The path to the church are made in rock on which the building are staying. You can feel inner peacuful and sacral feelings inside the church.
Argun Tanrıverdi
August 2023
Great spot to view Petra from above (114 steps). Inside the small church is also worth a visit. Free to visit, juat tiring 😅
Dylan de Roo
September 2022
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Absolutely fantastic view and a great place to enjoy the gusts of wind. Climb is easy, views are beautiful and inner plaza is nice.
Hasanakay
July 2022
Spectacular church perched on top of a rock formation in the city of Petra. Climbing from the steps carved out of rocks will give you a hint how difficult it was to construct this magnifient church. The views from the top is breathtaking overlooking the city and the Aegean sea. The grounds are meticulously kept with flowers everywhere. The inside is also lavishly decorated with iconas adorning the walls. It's a must visit if you are in Petra.
Jimmy Vb
August 2021
You have to visit it when you are in Petra. When you have climbed the stairs, the view is very nice (at daytime, but also at nighttime). At daytime you can enter the church.
Are you the owner?
Claim this listing to update details, hours, and photos.
Make a day of it
Places worth combining with your visit
