On the occasion of today’s (Sunday) world lighthouse day, but also the Feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, one of the greatest feasts of Christianity, Point Of View GR presents the lighthouse Tourliti and Panagia Thalassini in Andros.

Panagia Thalassini of Andros is a picturesque church built on a rock in the sea, at the entrance of Chora and together with the Tourlitis Lighthouse are two of the most characteristic points of the island. Panagia Thalassini protects those who travel at sea, together with Agios Nikolaos. In fact, in her iconography, the Virgin Mary is depicted in blue and not in a red robe as is customary, thus showing her relationship with the sea. The Synaxis of Panagia Thalassini in Andros is celebrated every year, in the summer, on August 15.

Tourlitis is a picturesque lighthouse on a small rock, opposite the Venetian castle on the edge of Andros Island. It is a trademark of the island. The lighthouse was first operational in 1897 but it was completely destroyed in World War II bombing in 1943. An iron arrow was erected in its place.

Its reconstruction was commissioned by Alekos and Marietta Goulandris in memory of their daughter Violanda, to the civil engineers Vassilis Tsoga and Xenia Halikiopoulou. ANDRIAKI Shipping Co Ltd supervised the project. The lighthouse was lit again in 1995. Tourlitis became a postage stamp in 2009 and traveled around the world.

Watch the Point Of View GR video