THE MERMAID MADONNA, LESBOS, GREECE

Skala Sikamineas is a small picturesque fishing village 31 kilometres from Mytilini City, east of Molyvos, on the North side of the island. It is famous because of its association with Stratis Myrivilis (1892-1969), a famous Greek author of the 20th century, but also because of its small harbour and a tiny white church on a rock.

The tiny chapel is known as the Church of the Mermaid Madonna, made famous by the novel called "The Mermaid Madonna" (1949) by Stratis Myrivilis. Once in the church there was a fresco of the Virgin Mary, with a fish's tale, looking like a mermaid. This was the work of a local folk painter. The fresco has been overpainted and is no longer seen, but the name has persisted.

A modern painting, a reconstruction of the fresco, as imagined by an artist is shown in the last photo.

This post is part of the Scenic Weekends meme,
and also part of the inSPIREd Sunday meme.