Meteora Monastery of Agios Stefanos

Location: Kalambaka

The Monastery of Agios (Saint) Stefanos in Meteora: The Holy Monastery of Agios Stefanos is one of the few female monasteries of Meteora. The exact date of the monastery's construction is unknown but according to some evidence it was built in the 15th century.

During the 2nd World War, it was seriously destroyed by German troops because they believed that Greek resistant forces were hidden in the monastery. Many valuable frescoes were damaged that time but fortunately, some relics were saved.

The main church of the monastery is dedicated to Agios Charalambos and was built in the 19th century by monk Ambrosios. In fact, Prince Vladislav of Wallachia gave the skull of the saint to the nuns as a gift and it has been kept there until our days. This church has a timber roof and is decorated with wall paintings made by the priest Ioannis from Stagoi, in 1545.

Agios Stefanos also has a small museum displaying ecclesiastical items. Its access is very easy and can be reached by a simple road. The monastery gives impressive views to the plain of Kalambaka. Agios Stefanos can be visited every day except Mondays. Just remember to dress properly because the dressing code is strict. Otherwise, the nuns will give you a piece of cloth to wrap over your legs and shoulder.