Agios Stefanos Monastery, Meteora 
View of Agios Stephanos. Photo
Alan Grant.
Closer view of Agios Stephanos. Photo
Alan Grant.
Icon of the Archangel Michael at St. Stephen's. Photo
Gabriel.
Rose garden on the rocks. Photo
Gabriel.
Rocks and Kalambaka from Agiou Stefanou. Photo
Gabriel.
View of Kalambaka. Photo
Gabriel.
Location map and aerial view of Agios Stefanos Monastery. For a larger interactive view, see our Meteora Map.
The only monastery in the Meteora visible from Kalambaka, St. Stephen's was founded around 1400 and is now a nunnery. Although less spectacular than the others, it is the easiest monastery to visit and the nuns are welcoming.
History
Moni Aghiou Stefanou was founded by St. Antoninus Cantacuzene, who is thought to be a son of the Serb ruler Nicephorus II of Epirus, in c.1400.
The monastery suffered much damage in the 20th century: it was bombed during World War II and desecrated during the subsequent Civil War. In the latter period, most of the frescoes were defaced by Communist rebels.
St. Stephen's was virtually abandoned until 1961, when it became a nunnery. It is currently inhabited by 28 nuns led by Abbess Agathi Antoniou.
What to See
The old katholikon, which was rebuilt in 1545 and frescoed shortly thereafter, still stands. The new katholikon of Agiou Stefanou was built in 1798 and is currently being frescoed by a modern artist. It is dedicated to the martyred St. Charalambos, whose head it contains.
The refectory (15th century) has a surviving fresco of the Virgin in the apse. The monastery contains a small museum of vestments and other religious objects and the nuns sell handmade embroideries and other trinkets.
Getting There
St. Stephen's Monastery just outside the town of Kalambaka and easily approached thanks to a bridge from the main road. If hiking, it is 15 minutes along the path from Agios Triadhos. The trail towards Kalambaka from St. Stephen's is unused and dangerous; use the Agios Triadhos route instead.
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | Agios Stefanos Monastery; Moni Aghiou Stefanou; Ayiou Stefanou; Agios Stefanos; St. Stephen's Nunnery |
| Dedicated to: | St. Stephen |
| Location: | Meteora, Thessaly, Greece |
| Categories: | Abbeys & Monasteries; Shrines; World Heritage Sites |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Greek Orthodox |
| Status: | active |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 39.709283° N, 21.63856° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Address: | The Meteora, Thessaly, Greece |
| Hours: | Daily 9am-1pm, 3:30-6pm (hours may vary). Closed Mondays. |
| 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.
- Ayiou Stefanou - Frommer's Greece
- Ayiou Stefanou - Rough Guide to Greece
- The Saint Stephen 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.
