The way west of Chora to Nea Moni is continually upward. 

The distance includes a panoramic view of the capital and the Asia Minor shore across the sea.

The construction of this monastery began in A.D. 1042 under the care of Emperor Constantine IX the Monomachos, on the site of the discovery of the miraculous icon of the Virgin (Theotokos) by three Chian monks, Nikitas, Ioannis and Iosif ( Josef). 

The monks find the icon laying on the branches of a burning myrtle bush, unharmed by the flames.

The Monomachos, as founder of the monastery, felt a bond with it and protected it with the Empire's Chrysobull (seal). 

He granted it privileges following the fulfillment of the monk's prophecy : that the Emperor would return from Lesvos, where he was exiled, to rule once again in Constantinople.

Until the 19th century, Nea Moni was one of the wealthiest monasteries in the Aegean area. 

During its peak, it housed 800 monks who lived in cells inside and outside the monastery walls.
 

The monastery maintained an impressive library, it supported schools and helped elevate great teachers such as Theodore Proios, Osios Nikiforos, Theodosios Kokinakis, Gregory Fotinos and others. 

A steady decline of the monastery, however, began in the 19th century. 

At first there were economic problems, then the infamous Turkish massacres of 1822 and finally the painful results of the disastrous earthquakes of 1881, all of which led the monastery to an unforeseen decline.

This style is found only in Chios and Cyprus.

The dome, which came down in 1881 by the earthquake, was huge, and the light from its windows spread profusely inside the main church ( the present dome was built later).

The Katholikon is separated into the Outer Narthex, the Inner Narthex, the Nave, the Holy Sanctuary (Vima) and a later Annex, the Stenopo at the main entrance.

It contained beautiful frescoes which unfortunately were destroyed.

The only fresco salvaged in the southern conch is the SECOND COMING ( 17th century ).

This is an extraordinary composition with an excellent rendering of the orthodox eschatology .

The Bell-Tower is newer. 

It replaced the original which fell during the 1881 earthquakes. 
 

Only a few of these are salvaged today. 

They are works of Byzantine Art of the Macedonian Dynasty in the period A.D. 1042 - 1056. 

Here the artist blended the Renaissance style of the non -Hellenic areas of Asia with the Byzantine style.

The multi-colors of the mosaics and especially the gold, blending with the playful colors of the light, explain the reason for their multi-leveled placement and create an impressive movement of composition, keeping them fresh and expressive always.

According to tradition, it is the work of the Evangelist Luke and depicts the Virgin walking, without the Christ Child.