Roussanou Monastery, Meteora 
Rousannou Monastery atop a rock in the Meteora. Photo
travelinknu.
Glimpse of Rousannou Monastery from the road. Photo
Liz Lawley.
Rousannou Monastery with its modern stairway. Photo
Mel & John Kots.
Closer view of Roussanou Monastery. Photo
Mel & John Kots.
View of the Meteora from Roussanou. Photo
Liz Lawley.
Entrance sign at the Monastery of Roussanou. Photo
Yuankuei Cheng.
Location map and aerial view of Roussanou Monastery. For a larger interactive view, see our Meteora Map.
Founded in the 16th century, the easily-accessible Rousannou Monastery occupies a lower rock than the others of the Meteora.
History
Rousannou (Ρουσανου) Monastery was founded around 1545 by Maximos and Ioasaph of Ioannina. The reason for the monastery's name is not known - it is actually dedicated to St. Barbara - but may reflect the name of a hermit who occupied the rock. It soon declined and became subject to Varlaam Monastery by 1614.
The monastery once again fell into disrepair for the two centuries prior to the 1940s, when it was damaged in World War II then plundered by the Germans. It was later repaired by the regional archaeological service and since 1988 it has been occupied by a small community of 13 nuns.
What to See
Rousannou Monastery stands on a low rock and is easily accessible by a bridge built of wood in 1868 and replaced by more solid material in 1930. Despite this, its situation is still quite dramatic, with the rock dropping off sharply on all sides.
The monastery covers the entire surface of the rock and consists of three levels: the church and cells occupy the ground floor, while the two upper floors house the guest quarters, reception halls, an exhibition room, and more cells.
The frescoes in Rousannou's Church of the Transfiguration of Christ, which is essentially a smaller version of Varlaam's church, date from 1560. The narthex is decorated primarily with gruesome scenes of martyrdom, as at other Meteora monasteries.
The resident nuns tend to be friendlier to visitors than their male counterparts in Meteora and often provide sweets to guests as they relax in the courtyard (if so, it is nice to put a small donation in the box).
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | Roussanou Monastery; Agias Varvaras |
| Dedicated to: | St. Barbara |
| Location: | Meteora, Thessaly, Greece |
| Category: | Abbeys & Monasteries; World Heritage Sites |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Greek Orthodox |
| Status: | active |
| Date: | 1545 |
| Architecture: | Byzantine |
| Features: | Spectacular Setting |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 39.721539° N, 21.63208° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Address: | The Meteora, Thessaly, Greece |
| Hours: | Daily 9am-1pm and 3-6pm (hours may change). Closed Wednesdays in winter. |
| Cost: | €2 |
| Photography: | Not permitted inside. |
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:
- Blue Guide Greece: The Mainland, 7th ed. (W.W. Norton, 2006), 549.
- Rousannou - Frommer's Greece
- Rousánnou - Rough Guide to Greece
- The Rousanou 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.
