A journey of spirituality

The white churches and monasteries with their blue domes dotted all over the island is a charming sight for anyone setting food on the island. Perched on almost unreachable rocks and peaks, these churches are beautiful expressions of the local architecture. Their curved porches and arches, the bell towers and the stairs seemingly leading nowhere, making them look like sculptures against the blue background of the sea, the beautiful screens inside, their friendly courtyards, the feeling they exude make a visit (or numerous ones) worthwhile. Although they may look deserted, they are well preserved – an honour any islander would gladly undertake.

A photo album by Marina Vernicos entitled “235” presents a photographic journey in these magnificent churches of Sifnos, where the family of the photographer has its roots. The number 235 signifies the total number of churches on the island. This unique album offers another perspective of a theme that is identified with Sifnos. “The uniqueness, the simplicity, the beauty of each church, the familiar light and the primordial scents somehow created an even more intense connection between me and the island and allowed me to discover places I had never seen. Every far flung little church only confirmed that this land is blessed”, says Marina Vernicos.

Marina Vernicos is a photographer born and raised in Athens. She has showcased a number of individual and group exhibitions in distinguished galleries and museums in Greece, London and New York. Further to her exhibition work, she has also published four books.