Roussanou Monastery

Kalabaka, Greece

The Monastery of Roussanou was founded in the middle of the 16th century. Compared to other rocks where monasteries were built, the one of Roussanou has a lower elevation, which makes it more accessible. The monastery was initially founded by monks and it suffered severe damage during World War II. It became a convent in 1988. The beautiful wall-paintings of the Catholicon were executed in 1560, when the priest-monk Arsenios was the abbot of the monastery. The unknown hagiographer seems to have been a very skilful artist and successfully follows the Cretan School style.

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Address

Meteora, Kalabaka, Greece
See all sites in Kalabaka

Details

Founded: c. 1550
Category: Religious sites in Greece

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Marilyn Flores (2 years ago)
Spectacular! Just stunning it leaves you in awe, I felt like I went to outerspace it was beyond surreal. The fact that humans made these atop huge stone mountains when there wasn't any inkling of modern construction leaves you thinking just how? Thank you Michael's Amazing Tours the trip was awesome.
It's Emma (2 years ago)
Such a beautiful monastery! It is small but really pretty, and the view from the top is amazing! There are quite some stairs to go up, but it is ok with a few stops. Parking: there are a couple of spots available for parking, but you need to make sure to come either very early, or a bit later (outside of the rush hour) to find a spot. Otherwise, just park wherever you can and then walk. As the rest of the monasteries, women need to wear long skirts and cover their shoulders, and men need to wear long pants. If you don't have appropriate wear, you can buy one use pants in the entry for men, or a cover up for women. The entry fee for tourists is 3 euros. As a Greek person though, you have free entrance, which was a nice surprise. There is a small souvenir shop inside the monastery where you can buy several handmade items from the nuns, books, icons etc.
varjagen (2 years ago)
Awesome views for an intruiging geological past. It reminded me a lot of my travels to China on a smaller scale. Though the fact this was all conglomerate stone made for a very interesting and unique view I enjoyed a lot!
Roman Dostál (2 years ago)
A little smaller monastery after a few steps thorough the forest up (or more stairs in the forest down, depending on where you stop). Worth seeing. Dress code is more strictly enforced here (skirt or long dress and covered shoulders for women and pants for men). There is a nice view before the monastery and then on the balcony and then a holy room below the main floor (you cannot take photos or videos here).
Sergio Correa (2 years ago)
The Holy Monastery of Rousanos - Saint Barbara is where nuns (female orthodox monks) live and work. Is easier to climb that the rest of the monasteries. It has fantastic views. Inside is very peaceful. - Went there in February 2019.
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