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The Monastery of Hosios Loukas is one of the most important Middle Byzantine buildings in Greece. The Monastery of Hosios Loukas is situated on the western slopes of Mount Helicon. The monastery was founded in the early 10th century by the hermit Hosios Loukas, St. Luke. Hosios Loukas was born in 896 in Kastri, a village built on the ruins of Delphi. After years of wandering, he settled as a hermit and miracle worker near Distomo, a mountain village on the slopes of Mount Helicon. In 944 AD, Hosios Loukas founded a small church on this site. After the death of Hosios Loukas in 953, the church was expanded into the monastery of Hosios Loukas. The Monastery of Hosios Loukas is a walled monastery. The Theotokos is the oldest church of the monastery, it was built in the 10th century. The Theotokos adjoins a larger church, the Katholikon, built around 1011-1012. The monastery is adorned with mosaics and murals. Notable are the marble window grilles. The main shrine of the monastery is the tomb of Hosios Loukas, the tomb is housed in the crypt. The monastery of Hosios Loukas became a place of pilgrimage. The rumour that the relics of St Luke worked miracles brought a great number of believers to the monastery to be healed. The Monastery of Hosios Loukas is one of the three remaining monasteries from the Middle Byzantine period in Greece, along with the Monastery of Nea Moni on the island of Chios, and the Monastery of Daphni in Athens. The Monasteries of Daphni, Hosios Loukas and Nea Moni of Chios were declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 1990.

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1. 

   The dome of the Katholikon of the Monastery of Hosios Loukas, in the background the Elikónas, Mount Helicon. The Katholikon was severely damaged during an earthquake in 1593, the dome collapsed, but was rebuilt again. The monastery is located in the foothills of Mount Helicon at an altitude of 450 metres. The Monastery of Hosios Loukas is a UNESCO World Heritage since 1990.

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   The Monastery of Hosios Loukas is situated on the western slopes of Mount Helicon in Greece. The monastery was founded in the beginning of the 10th century by the hermit Hosios Loukas. Hosios Loukas died in 953 AD. A small church was already built in 944 AD and was enlarged in 1011-1012. The Monastery of Hosios Loukas is a walled monastery. 

3. 

   Above the entrance gate to the Monastery of Hosios Loukas is a small mosaic depicting Hosios Loukas, St. Luke. Behind the entrance gate lies the monastery with the courtyard, the churches and cells of the monks. The Monastery of Hosios Loukas is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Monasteries of Daphni, Hosios Loukas and Nea Moni of Chios .

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   The Monastery of Hosios Loukas is surrounded by a wall. The Monastery of Hosios Loukas is one of the most important monuments from the Middle Byzantine period in Greece, along  with the Monastery of Daphni in Athens and the Monastery of Nea Moni of Chios, a Greek island in the Aegean Sea. The Monastery of Hosios Loukas is the largest of the three monasteries.

5. 

   A Greek Orthodox monk on his way to the Katholikon of the Monastery of Hosios Loukas. On the left hand side the cells of the monks. Greek Orthodox monks live in simple, austere rooms called cells. The churches in the monastery are adorned with Byzantine mosaics and frescoes. The Monastery of Hosios Loukas is situated near the small village of Distomo in Greece. 

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   Monastery of Hosios Loukas: The entrance to the Katholikon, the main church of the monastery. There are two churches within the monastery, the 10th century Panagia Theotokos is the oldest church of the monastery, it is dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God. The church houses the famous 10th century 'Jesus of Navi' fresco, the Panagia Theotokos adjoins the larger Katholikon.

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   Monastery of Hosios Loukas: The dome of the Katholikon, the main church of the monastery, built in 1011-1012. The dome has a diameter of nine metres, the interior of the dome is adorned with frescoes. The Monastery of Hosios Loukas is one of the most important Byzantine buildings in Greece. Byzantine architecture is characterized by the use of rounded arches and mosaics.

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   Hosios Loukas Monastery: On the left hand side the dome of the Katholikon, on the right hand side the dome of the Theotokos, this church was damaged during an earthquake in 1790 and supported in 1848. The Theotokos is the only church to have been built in mainland Greece in the 10th century, the interior of the dome is of fair-faced brickwork and is not decorated. The Monastery of Hosios Loukas has characteristic arched Byzantine windows. 

9. 

   Monastery of Hosios Loukas: The dome of the Katholikon is adorned with 16th century frescoes. The Katholikon was built over the crypt housing the tomb containing the relics of Hosios Loukas, St. Luke. The monastery became an important pilgrimage destination, the rumour that the relics of St. Luke worked miracles brought a huge number of believers to the monastery to be healed. 

10. 

    Monastery of Hosios Loukas: The burial crypt housing the tomb of Hosios Loukas, St. Luke. The crypt is situated beneath the Katholikon, the main church. The crypt is dedicated to St. Barbara. The roof and the walls of the crypt are decorated with 11th century frescoes, they were hidden under a thick layer of dust for hundred of years and discovered in the 1960s.

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    Monastery of Hosios Loukas: The bell tower is the last remaining tower of the monastery. There were once four towers. During World War II, the monastery was severely damaged by German bombardments in 1943, the restoration works took many years. Together with the Monasteries of Daphni and Nea Moni of Chios, the Monastery of Hosios Loukas gained status as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1990.