Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery, Meteora

Agios Nikolaos nestled into its rock. Photo Charles Lee.

View of Agios Nikalous from below. Photo Liz Lawley.

St. Nicholas, Meteora

View of another side from the stairs. Photo Liz Lawley.

Rock formations at Agios Nikolaos. Photo Liz Lawley.

View

View from a balcony of Agios Nikolaos. Photo Liz Lawley.

Location map and aerial view of Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery. For a larger interactive view, see our Meteora Map.

Founded in the early 14th century, Agios Nikolaos Anapaphsas is a monastery in the Meteora notable for its unique construction and splendid frescoes by the 16th-century Cretan painter Theophanes the Monk.

History

Hermits seem to have first occupied this rock in the early 14th century, as evidenced by remains of frescoes in the Chapel of St. Anthony. The present monastery was founded in 1510 by St. Dionysius, Metropolitan of Larisa, and Nikanoras, priest-monk and exarch of Stagoi. The name "Anapafsas" is of unknown origin; it may be the surname of an early monk or founder.

The monastery was abandoned by 1900 and fell into disrepair until it was renovated in the 1960s by the archaeological service. It was then inhabited by Father Palamas until 1982, after which the monastery closed. In 1997, priests of Kalampaka began to open the monastery to tourists every summer. Today, one monk lives at Agios Nikolaos, the abbot archimandrite Polykarpos Venetis.

What to See

Since the top of this rock is limited in size, the monastery buildings had to be extended upward instead of outward, rising three stories high. The small katholikon of St. Nicholas occupies the second floor. Its dome has no windows because of the floor built on top of it and it has an irregular floor plan in order to fit on the rock. A larger narthex extends to the west.

The frescoes of Agios Nikolaos are some of the most important in the Meteora, as they were painted by the celebrated leader of the Cretan school, Theophanes Strelitzas. He painted them in 1527, when he was probably a monk here. These frescoes are the first to bear the signature of the artist ("Ch.M.") and are among his earliest works of this magnitude.

Depicting such scenes as the Passion of Christ, the Virgin Mary praying, Jonah and the Whale, the Liturgy of Angels and the Last Judgement, the frescoes demonstrate the characteristics for which Theophanes of Crete became famous: delicacy of line; vividness in imagery; and bright colors.

The first floor of the monastery is occupied by the tiny Chapel of St. Anthony, which contains some early 14th-century frescoes, and a crypt where relics and manuscripts used to be stored.

The third floor contains the old refectory, decorated with frescoes and recently renovated for use as a reception hall, the ossuary (for storage of bones), and the renovated Chapel of St. John the Baptist.

Quick Facts

Site Information

Names:	Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery; Agios Nikolaos Anapaphsas; Ayiou Nikolaou Anapavsa
Dedicated to:	St. Nicholas
Location:	Meteora, Thessaly, Greece
Category:	Abbeys & Monasteries; World Heritage Sites
Faith:	Christianity
Denomination:	Greek Orthodox
Architecture:	Byzantine
Features:	Spectacular Setting; Murals/Frescoes

Visitor Information

Coordinates:	39.723882° N, 21.624613° E (view on Google Maps)
Address:	The Meteora, Thessaly, Greece
Phone:	24320/22-375
Hours:	Summer: Daily 9am–3.30pm; closed Fridays. Winter: Closes by 3pm; sometimes closed completely.
Cost:	€2
Photography:	Not permitted inside.

Note: This information was accurate when published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

Travel Resources

Meteora Map - our detailed interactive map of Meteora, plus hand-picked links to more
Meteora Guided Tours - book sightseeing tours and activities in Meteora
Meteora Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, then book at the guaranteed lowest rate
Meteora Hostels - reserve budget lodgings with no booking fees
Meteora Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
Meteora Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on Meteora tourism

Article Sources

Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:

Ayios Nikolaos Anapaphsas - Frommer's Greece
Ayiou Nikolaou Anapavsa and around - Rough Guide to Greece
Saint Nicholas Anapafsas Monastery - Kalampaka.com
Advisory Body Evaluation - UNESCO World Heritage (1987)
Meteora: Greece's Spiritual Pinnacles - Travel with a Challenge
Meteora: Monasteries – Greece Travel

Article last updated: 07/01/2009.