At the other end of the island from the chora but lying on the same coast, is this small church which occupies a wonderfully scenic position on the top of an outcrop of rock just off the coast, formed when part of the cliff fell into the sea. The rock is linked to the beach by a causeway, from which you climb up two hundred steep steps to the chapel of "St. John the Beheaded", or John the Baptist. These are the steps Meryl Streep ran up after singing 'The Winner Takes It All' in the film Mamma Mia!
Just before reaching Glossa, take the signposted road on the right and follow it, ignoring the immediate right hand fork. Continue on the road, past the three scarecrows, whose purpose is a mystery, until you come to the church of Panagia, from where there are superb views of the coastline including Ag Ioannis. After this visit, the road winds down to the base of Ag Ioannis, perched on a precipitous rock above.
The legend says that while some fishermen were working on their boats on the beaches next to the sheer rock, they saw a bright light glowing in the sea. They went to investigate and found in the water an icon of Ag Ioannis. Leaving it on the beach, the fishermen returned next day to find it missing, only to discover it once more on top of the rock next to a lighted candle. This became the site of the small monastery that exists today. It was built using nets and pulleys reminiscent of the monasteries at Meteora.
To the west of the chapel there is a small stone wall, the other side of which is a steep and narrow path leading down to a cave. There, underneath a large stone is the entrance to the cave, where an unknown Christian led a hermit's life. Every year on the 29 August, Mass is celebrated in the chapel to commemorate the life of St John the Baptist.
The inside of the chapel is very small and is not the one featured in the film ‘Mamma Mia!’, which was rebuilt in Pinewood Studios following the designs of the small church Panagitsa tou pirgou located on Skopelos harbour.
There are 200 steps to the church, up which Meryl Streep ran without stopping after singing “The Winner Takes It All” to Sam. Inside the chapel there is a visitors’ book which you can sign if you wish.
The road down to Aghios Yiannis winds dramatically, passing through some lovely countryside. You will need to have your own transport to get there. Take some water, a snack and your swimming costume - you might want to have a cooling swim after climbing up all those steps!