Varlaam Monastery

Kalabaka, Greece

The Holy Monastery of Varlaam is the second biggest monastery in Meteora. It is located opposite of the Great Meteoron Monastery and it was founded in the mid-14th century by the exercitant Hosios Varlaam.

The elegant monastery Katholikon (main church) was built in the honour of Agioi Pantes in 1541-42, by two brothers from Ioannina, the priest-monks Hosioi Theophanes and Nectarios the Apsarades. The main church was decorated in 1548. Based on stylistic criteria, this magnificent wall-painting is attributed to the famous hagiographer from Thebes, Frago Catelano.

The old refectory is used as a museum while north of the church is the side chapel of the Three Bishops, built in 1627 and decorated in 1637.

A very large and impressive 16th century oak barrel for water storage is also not to be missed. The old refectory has been turned into a museum, where visitors can admire the excellence of religious painted icons – mostly contemporary to the Renaissance period – and precious holy vestments of the priests. Other old buildings in the Monastery are the kitchen and the hospital. The bibliographic workshop and the workshop of gold-embroidery of the Monastery were excellent.

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Address

Meteora, Kalabaka, Greece
See all sites in Kalabaka

Details

Founded: 14th century
Category: Religious sites in Greece

Rating

4.8/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Elizaveta Rodina (13 months ago)
If you don't have much time and want to learn about the monastic life as much as possible, this monastery is your best choice. You can't call it an easy access monastery, as St.Stephen nunnery is. But the stairs are quite manageable even for people who are afraid of stairs ( you can lean most of the way either on the wall or on a rail). There's the barrel for storage, there's the pull system and the movie in the museum to explain how exactly it operated. The museum is really nice and informative.
Kenya Rose (14 months ago)
Very nice to visit. The artwork is beautiful. Be sure to have comfortable shoes and women should wear dresses or bring a wrap to put over pants. You can purchase a wrap before entering if you didn’t come prepared
Silvia Epps (14 months ago)
Stunning! Must see. Please dress appropriately as it is a monastery. Women must wear long skirt or dress (not pants) and men must wear long pants. Entrance is 3 euro, the view is amazing and the museum tells the history andife.of the monks. Very interesting and fascinating hermit life in solitary spirituality.
Jordan Thompson (16 months ago)
If you anywhere(!) in Greece this is a must-see area! Don't worry too much about any of the monasteries being closed... You're going for the amazing views!
Gary Fung (18 months ago)
One of the monasteries that is open to visitors. The monks live there have done a marvelous job in maintaining the place. Please beware of dress-codes for visitors. Wheelchairs and baby strollers not accessible due to steps that lead up to the monastery.
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