The Enchanted Church of Agia Theodora in Arcadia with 17 Trees on Its Roof

Every year, thousands of devout visitors are drawn to the picturesque church of Agia Theodora in Arcadia to witness a truly remarkable phenomenon. Nestled near the village of Vastas in an idyllic wooded ravine surrounded by lush beech forests, this charming little church stands at an elevation of 860 meters on the southern slopes of Mount Lykaion. Built in the 12th century, the Byzantine church is famous for its unique feature: 17 trees growing directly from its roof, reaching heights of up to 20 meters. Strikingly, the roots of these plane trees remain hidden, leaving only their trunks and branches visible to visitors. Celebrated annually on September 11, the feast day of Agia Theodora honors her legacy. The number of trees corresponds to her age at the time of her death, according to local tradition. Two versions exist regarding her life story. One suggests she was the daughter of Emperor Constantine VII of the Macedonian dynasty, ruling briefly as a man before being succeeded by Michael III. Another version tells of her humble origins; born into poverty, she disguised herself as a man to serve as a mercenary soldier but faced tragic consequences when accused falsely of impregnating a young woman who loved her. Before her execution, it is said that she prayed for her hair to turn into trees, her blood into a river, and her body into a church. In 1996, researchers from Patras University’s Geophysics Laboratory studied the structure using ground-penetrating radar and electrical tomography. They discovered that the root system stabilizes the building, balancing the roof load while penetrating stone walls to reach the soil below. Restoration work between 1998-1999 preserved both the trees and murals carefully, avoiding cement-based methods. Agia Theodora has been recognized by Guinness World Records as a ‘wonderful tree church.’ Today, the site remains a testament to nature’s harmony with architecture.