Have you heard of the church in Greece from which 17 trees grow, which cannot be seen from the outside nor from the inside? If you are vacationing or visiting Peloponnese, you can visit this centuries-old miraculous church in the village of Vasta. The Church of St. Theodore is the only one of its kind in the Orthodox world and a rare phenomenon in nature.

Unique church in the village of Vasta in Peloponnese

The church has existed since the 11th century, and the description and impressions from the visit were shared with us by Dušan Tamburić, to whom we are very grateful. “I also have a suggestion for an Orthodox church. I was there four months ago, and this is the most incredible place I have ever seen in my life. I think there is nothing even remotely similar in the world. I was in Vasta on March 22, 2025. That’s when I visited the Church of St. Theodore, and that’s when I took this video and photo of the church from the air that I sent to you.

Vasta is a village located in Peloponnese, Greece. The church was built in the 11th century, and through it, 17 trees grow. Within the church complex, about 100 meters away, there is an old mill and watermill.

Legend of St. Theodore

The church dedicated to St. Theodore was built at the time when she was alive. At that time, there was a rule that every man had to serve in the army or, if that was not possible, find a mercenary to replace him. In Theodora’s case, the only man in the family was her seriously ill father, unfit for the army, and they had no money for a mercenary. Theodora then disguised herself as a man and went to the army as a representative of her family.

A woman in the army fell in love with Theodora, thinking she was a man, and tried to start a relationship with her, but without success. As Theodora constantly refused, the woman, out of revenge, became pregnant with one of the soldiers, and then reported to the military authorities that the child was Theodora’s and that they had to get married. Theodora’s true identity was then revealed. After that, the soldiers took her to the forest, killed her, and buried her in the same place. Theodora was only 17 years old.

The last words she spoke were: “God, turn my body into a church, my years into trees, and my blood into a river.”

The Phenomenon of 17 Trees and a Spring

The local population, moved by her fate, decided to build a church on the site of her death and grave. Shortly after the construction, 17 trees began to grow through the church - one for each year of Theodora’s life. She was killed when she was only 17 years old. A small stream also sprang up through the foundation of the church, symbolizing her blood.

The real miracle is the fact that these trees still grow, leaf and bloom today. Inside the church, the trees are not visible at all - as if you are entering an ordinary stone church. It is not even known if there is one root from which all the trees grew or if there are multiple, nor where the roots are actually located - inside or outside the church.

Interesting fact: The name Theodora, translated from Greek, means “God’s gift” or “God’s present.”
theos (θεός) – god
doro (δώρο) – gift

How to get to the Church of St. Theodore in Vasta

The church is located in the village of Vasta, in the southwestern part of the Peloponnese, in the region of Arcadia. There is parking near the church in the village.

By Car

From the city of Sparta, follow the road to the village of Vasta, the drive takes about 1 hour and 15-20 minutes. The road is paved and well marked. In the village itself, follow the signs to the Church of St. Theodore. From Athens, it takes about 4.5 hours by car. From Kalamata, about 1 hour by car. From Nafplio, about 1.5 to 2 hours by car.

Driving Tips

The road to the church is paved on all sides, but experiences show that the approach via Kalamata is more comfortable and of better quality than other directions, such as Nafplio.

From Athens
The Church of St. Theodore is about 220 km from Athens, or about 4.5 hours by car. The road to the church is completely paved and wide enough for two vehicles to pass each other, but the last 3-4 km have many curves. Therefore, cautious driving is advised.

The best option is to split the journey to the church into two days — first to the city of Kalamata, where you can stay in one of the hotels, and then after breakfast, continue the drive to the church.

A visit to the church does not require a particularly powerful or large car. Many have easily reached it with average cars like a Peugeot 208 or a Fiat Punto.

In some parts of the road, a specific surface treatment of the asphalt (intentional “scratching”) is noticeable, which may seem unusual while driving, but is done for better safety in winter conditions to reduce the risk of skidding.

Organized Tours: Many tourist agencies in the area offer tours of the Peloponnese that include Vasta as a destination.

Additional Visit on the Side Road to Kalamata

If you continue on the side road to Kalamata, about 1.5 hours south of the Church of St. Theodore, you can reach the archaeological site of Messene. Just before the site, you will also find the famous Arcadian Gates.

If you have also visited this wonderful miraculous church, write to us about your impressions.

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