Agios Stephanos Monastery, Meteora
Agios Stephanos (St. Stephen) Monastery is one of the monasteries of the Meteora in northern Greece.
Founded in the 14th century, St. Stephen is now a functioning convent for nuns. It is located almost on the outskirts of Kalambaka, but a bridge from the main road makes it easy to get there.
Ayios Stephanos was badly damaged in World War II and the civil war that followed; many priceless frescoes were defaced and others were totally destroyed. Fortunately, the monastery's most famous relic was saved: the head of St. Charalambos, whose powers include warding off illness.
Recently, the nuns have been attempting to restore sections of the monastery that had been allowed to decline. Donations are welcomed.
Agios Stephanos also has a small museum with ecclesiastical robes and objects.
Quick Facts
| Location: | The Meteora, Thessaly, Greece |
| Phone: | No phone |
| Hours: | Usually open Tues-Sun 9am-1pm and 3:30-6pm |
| Cost: | 2€ |
Related Travel Resources
- Overnight Tour to Meteora (from Athens)
- Three Day Tour to Delphi and Meteora (from Athens)
- Seven Day Grand Tour of Greece (from Athens)
If you want to hire a private guide, speak to the concierge at your hotel, or contact the Association of Official Guides in Athens (tel. 210/322-9705). Expect to pay from 100€ for a 5-hour tour.
The busiest tourist season at Meteora is between May and September. The mountain range to the east and north of Meteora experiences baking heat in summer and severe cold in winter with heavy snowfalls. Summer is the driest time. Storms occur year round, especially at higher altitudes.
Most visitors to Meteora stay in Kalambaka or Kastraki, the two closest villages to Meteora.
More Information
- Meteora – UNESCO World Heritage
- Meteora Map - MeteoraKalambaka.com
- The Wonder That is Meteora - Meteora-Greece.info
- Meteora: Monasteries – Greece Travel
- Clifftop Monasteries of Meteora, Greece – Adventures Great and Small
- Meteora: Greece's Spiritual Pinnacles - Travel with a Challenge
- Land in the Clouds: Greece's Meteora Monasteries - Go World Travel
