POI

Holy Monastery of Agios Apostolos Silas

General description

Just three kilometers away from Kavala, following the highway of Thessaloniki-Kavala, exactly where it is coupled with the surviving parts of the old famous Via Egnatia is located the Monastery of Saint Silas. It is a monastery for men and belongs to the Diocese of Kavala. In the monastery there is a marbled slab, which is where Paul and Silas sat down to rest, during their visit to Neapoli.

Literally it dominates in the neck formed by the western hills, which enclose the city of Kavala from the fury of winter boron. Just from the point where the monastery stands, the view of Kavala is wonderful. In front there are beautiful beaches with their natural harbors. Most farther still, the pearl of voreioelladitikon islands, Thassos. Even farther away, the pearl of north Hellenic islands, Thasos. The city itself, perched literally on the rocks and in the gullies which are formed as mountains descend abruptly into the sea, it justifies entirely a reflection of all these experts, who gave the name of the city in specific geographical areas. The extremely picturesque site which was surrounded by a wonderful rich green, was not selected randomly for the construction of the monastery.

In the tradition at this point the Apostle Paul and his associates Silas, Timothy and Luke sat down to rest. It also mentioned in a marbled column that is currently in front and slightly left of the church of the monastery:

"ΚΑΤ’ ΑΡΧΑΙΑΝ ΠΑΡΑΔΟΣΙΝ ΕΝΤΑΥΘΑ ΑΝΕΠΑΥΘΗΣΑΝ ΟΙ ΑΓΙΟΙ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΙ ΠΑΥΛΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΣΙΛΑΣ ΚΑΤΑ ΤΗΝ ΠΡΟΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥΣ ΠΡΩΤΗΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΙΚΗΝ ΕΠΙΣΚΕΨΙΝ ΤΩΝ."

Accessibility description

Name: Holy Monastery of Agios Apostolos Silas

All areas and features related to performing religious acts (icons, furniture with candles, pray spaces, etc.) are always at the viewing zone and at the reach of wheelchair users too.

There is space for wheelchairs to be situated within the congregation.

The sanctuary is free of steps and accessible to wheelchair users.

It is possible for all to reach the area(s) where various services and tasks take place (e.g., such as for paperwork of various religious ceremonies, communion receivings, etc.).

Ιt possible for all to reach, enter and sit in the exisiitng confession canopy.

There is a sound system used.

There is good lighting to support those who lip read.

Note: Assistant dogs are not allowed.

There is no informational and/or religion-related material that is made available in alternative accessible formats.

There is a an outdoor area open to the public.

Accessibility information about the:

Main Entry/Exit

It is claimed to be an accessible entry/exit point.

Note: There are not appropriate signs directing the visitors to it.

It is properly connected to nearby outdoor accessible restroom(s).

The walking surface is slip-resistant, stable and firm enough, including for wheelchair users.

Caution: The walking surface has non-tolerable distortions (longer than 0,5 cm, higher than 2 cm).

Note: The entrance is not sheltered.

Caution: The entrance does not create enough contrast with the surroundings.

The entrance is suitable for wheelchair users.

There are outdoor staircases leading to this entrance.

The door is suitable for persons with restricted mobility and wheelchair users.

Caution: There is a vestibule present, the dimensions of which do not allow for wheelchair maneuver in between the two consecutive doors.

There are special-purpose obstacles used for prohibiting/controlling the visitors' entrance, but there are adequate openings that do not restrict the movement of wheelchair users.

The special-purpose obstacles in place do have enough colour contrast with the environment.

There exist reception desks, service booths or cashiers, which are accessible to wheelchairs users.

At the existing desks/service booths/cashiers always there is proper lighting and layout which allow for good visual contact, so deaf persons can easily read the lips of the staff.

Caution: There is printed material with information for visitors made available but it is not made available in alternative accessible formats for various categories of readers with disabilities.

Note: The staff assigned to welcome/inform the visitors has not received any training on the needs of and on how to serve persons with disability.

Caution: There dangerous areas/parts without appropriate safety fences/railings.

Parking space(s)

Parking is allowed during specific hours of the day.

The parking is free.

The automatic ticket dispensers are not very close and may be inaccessible to wheelchair users.

Note: The facilities for serving the users (e.g., reception/ticket kiosks, restrooms, etc.) cannot be reached and accessed by a wheelchair drivers/passengers.

Note: The spaces reserved for vehicles of persons with disabilities are not properly marked.

Bins, water fountains, etc. are at appropriate heights for wheelchair users (within a zone 90-120 cm high, and never beyond 40-135 cm).

Note: The parking spaces where the driver's exit is at the side of the vehicles zone may not have close by ramps/dropped kerbs to access the sidewalk.

Note: The sidewalks do not have tactile guides for blind.

Buss stop

Agias Silas

The bus stop can be accessed with a wheelchair (pathway free of obstacles, such as steps, narrow passages under 90cm, etc.).

The stop is close and properly connected to the TGSI network for the blind.

Note: The bus stop is not sheltered (e.g., for rain, sun, wind).

Note: The shelter is not at least 1.4 m wide.

Caution: There are transparent panels used for wind protection that do not bare appropriate coloured markings.

Note: There are not any seats installed for waiting passengers.

The seats are not user-friendly (up-right, separate arms, colour contrasted).

Note: There is no free space (at least 85 cm wide) for wheelchair users.

The space reserved for wheelchair users is not properly marked (e.g., with the International Symbol for Access).