Winepresses of Panagia Kardiotissa

Panagia Kardiotissa church is located north of Agios Thomas, next to a stream and centuries-old trees. As indicated by carvings and fragments of frescoes, the original building was constructed before the 10th century. The stone base of the High Altar bears an ancient inscription. West of the church, as we go up the road, we find three winepresses:

At the first, to the right of the road, west of the church, both the winepress and the trough have been cleaned.

A little farther, on a rock at the left, the faint outline of a small winepress filled with rubble and stones, appears.

Opposite, to the right (there is a sign), exists a winepress with carved base of dimensions 3.75m x 3.44m x 1.05-0.40m, carved on two sides and built on the other two. The faucet is carved and the trough is also carved with dimensions 1.90m x 1.00m x 0.80m. The grape press (mangana) is carved, 1.90m long (from center of hole to center of hole), with a diameter of 0.80m and a small carved must collection vessel, preserved in good state, measuring 0.80m x 0.60m.

In November 2008, Agios Thomas’ church cleaned the complex, where carved cavities with dimensions 0.60m x 0.40m and 0.60m x 0.47m of unknown use, south of the trough, are preserved.

Above the winepress there are carved seats which give the impression of chairs; probably this was a place for feasts during the pressing of the grapes.