In the center of Zefyria you will find Panagia Portaitissa or Portiani, the old metropolis of the island. Panagia Portiani, united with the adjacent church of Agios Charalambos, is the only surviving church in the Old Town of Zefyria.
The name “Portiani” probably comes from the gate of the castle, which existed near the temple. The destruction of the city by an earthquake in the 18th century (during the Turkish occupation) also meant the desolation of the church. Thus, in 1864 the icon of the Virgin of Portiani, other historical icons and parts of its rich interior decoration were transferred to the new church of the Assumption of the Virgin (or Saint Charalambos) in Adamas.The Church of Panagia Portiani belongs to the 2nd Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture and is protected as a protected monument. In it you can see admirable old frescoes and other wonderful relics