Aghia Matrona Monastery on Hydra Island
Aghia Matrona is a Monastery on Hydra Island Greece. It is high above Hydra Town. Two nuns live there full-time looking after the buildings, kitchen gardens as well as observing their religious duties. Even though this is a place of worship, the nuns at Matrona are particularly welcoming to visitors who have made the strenuous effort to reach them. If you would like to see inside (during the morning around 11 am - not later as you will disturb the nuns) you may ring the bell to ask for entry. As a courtesy please don't forget to buy one of the bracelets the nuns handmake or leave a donation for the upkeep of the church if you have been welcomed in.
Even if you don't wish to ask for permission to enter, Ag. Matrona is a good destination for a hike. On the way and once there, photography or painting opportunities abound in every direction. It is reached via the zig-zag road that climbs the side of the mountain opposite the high school at the back of the valley where many of the horses are stabled. You pass Ag. Fotini and follow its white wall, to the rear of the cemetery. From there you follow the unmade track heading south-west. Ag. Matrona is also a popular destination with Harriet's Hydra Horses. The route Harriet takes is fairly well trampled so it's reasonably easy to follow the track.
Walking Notes: Easy road from Hydra town to Ag. Fotini that you can do in casual footwear. As soon as you get behind Ag. Fotini, there is nothing but rough tracks to follow the rest of the way to Matrona. You will definitely need walking shoes, boots or trainers. There's no where to buy refreshments so bring your own. I also strongly advise you to put the emergency number 199 in your mobile phone, just in case you twist your ankle or have an emergency.
Directions from Hydra Town
From Hydra harbour, take the lane out of the corner next to the Alpha Bank and walk towards the Amalour bar. Branch left and walk between the Amalour on your right and Adonis's hardware shop on your left. Walk straight on then go right and immediate left. Now you are on the main road that goes to the back of town. Pass the Phaedre Hotel on your right, the Piteoussa on your left to the end and then go up the steps from the street to the higher pavement on your right just opposite the Greco Hotel. Keep following that pavement and up as it starts to climb the right hand side of the back of the valley. You'll go up the wide concrete lane above the levels where some of the island's equines are stabled.
The zig-zag road twists back on itself half a dozen times until you reach the top at the gates of the Fotini cemetery. You can't get through the cemetery so you need to go right around it following the white wall to the back. From this point on you must have sensible walking footwear on. If you're wearing sandals or flip-flops give up now before you twist your ankle! At the back you follow the rough path along the outside of the white wall. When you get to the end you will pass a large door, then you have to start to climb. You will get to a sort of dead end where you only have the option to turn right. You need to climb up an outcrop of reddish stone going first right then twisting left. There is a deep groove to follow. From then on it's simply a case of following the track. Next you will come across a little bridge and a steep cliff of reddish rock. Again, follow the deep grooves made by animals and other hikers to work your way up to the top. Once you are up, stop to get your bearings. The back of the gulley in the valley where some of the horses are stabled will below you and you will be able to see Matrona much more clearly above you.