About 15 km from the town of Chios (capital of the eponymous island) on the picturesque hillside among cypresses, there is the monastery of NEA Moni. This is one of the oldest and most beautiful monasteries in Greece, as well as a beautiful example of the magnificent Byzantine architecture.

The monastery of NEA Moni was built in the mid 11th century by the Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX Monomakh. According to legend, the monastery was built on the site where three monks - Nikita, John, and Joseph is found on a branch of the burning of Myrtle's completely intact icon of the virgin.

For centuries the monastery of NEA Moni was considered one of the most important religious centers of the Aegean sea. Extensive land holdings owned by the monastery and special privileges ensured the prosperity of the Holy place and its power. By the end of the 13th century on the territory of the monastery there were about 800 monks. In relative well-being of the temple has long existed in the reign of the Ottoman Empire.

Unfortunately, the monastery was badly damaged during the infamous Chios massacre in 1822. During the massacre, which gave the Turks burned down the iconostasis, and the monastic library and archives. Heavily damaged magnificent frescoes of the Church room, and a large portion of the unique Church relics was simply stolen. Considerable damage has undergone a monastery and in 1881 during the earthquake.

In our days the monastery complex covers an area of approximately 1, 7 hectares of its territory is the main Church room, two small Church of the Holy cross and Saint Panteleimon, the refectory and cells. There in the monastery and a small Church Museum. The walls surrounding the monastery were built in the 19th century. Outside the monastery, near the monastic cemetery is a small chapel of St. Luke.

A special pride of the NEA Moni monastery are world famous for stunning Byzantine mosaics. Among the most interesting and well-preserved mosaic compositions is to provide "Epiphany", "the Crucifixion", "the Descent into hell", "the descent from the cross", "Entry into Jerusalem" and "feet-Washing".

The monastery of NEA Moni is an important historical and cultural monument of the island of Chios. In 1990 he was included in the world heritage List of UNESCO.