So why the Mamma Mia Chapel?
This magnificent chapel of St.John or Agios Ioannis sits on top of a massive rock formation while gently resting on the sea. It truly is love at first sight when you first glimpse the “Rock”.
Watch out as you reach the end of the road!
Either stop the car just before the canteen safely or before you reach this spot. Alternatively, carefully drive down to the end to reverse your car and park it facing upwards.
Step out to snap some pictures from afar, (trust me, you will appreciate them from this angle and distance).
You will feel the Rock’s sheer significance standing at the bottom of the base while contemplating and building up the courage to climb its 103 very steep steps.
As you progress your way towards the top, you can have a chance to admire and examine up close the various shades of this rock and its interesting formations.
The deep blue, Aegean sea all around you will reward you with breaths of salty air and breezes you will surely appreciate.
At the very top, and as you pass through the arched entrance, you can feel proud of yourselves, having climbed all the way up.
Taken the same steps and passed through the very same arch that some of the top Hollywood actors have passed. Whether you chose to see The Movie before you reached here, planning to see it afterwards, or simply don’t much care about this notorious Mamma Mia movie, one thing is certain; you now know why this place was chosen!!!
The chapel itself is quite small, with the classic Greek orthodox icons all around and even a Guest book that has been there for years.
People write comments in this book, blessings, their hopes or simply just their name and a “I have been here” proud comment.
The space around the chapel is fantastic to just relax, gaze out to the infinite open sea and watch the world go by. You will definitely appreciate a cool drink that you have hopefully brought with you for this occasion.
How to Get to the Mamma Mia Chapel
The easiest and by far the quickest way is to take your left as you exit the premises and follow the main, asphalted road that leads to the west of the island.
- You will be following signs for “Elios” which will take you to this small seaside village, (approx. 6km from Skopelos Country Villas).
- Once on the main coastal road on the west side of Skopelos, pass Elios and carry on driving for another 4 km on the same road.
- Just before you enter the next village, (Glossa), you will see on your right and on the main road, a sign pointing you to the “Mamma Mia Chapel” of Agios Yiannis.
- Follow the sign and drive safely as you descend down this asphalted road for approximately 5 km. There are a lot of sharp turns on this road, and the traffic has significantly increased ever since the filming of Mamma Mia. Everyone wants, (and must-see), this magnificent chapel on top of the “Rock”.
Keep your eyes on the road at all times even though you will want to gaze and admire the dramatic landscape of sea and mountains unfolding right before your eyes.