Varlaam Monastery, Meteora

View from the top of Varlaam Monastery. Photo Charles Lee.

Varlaam Monastery perched high on its rock. Photo Charles Lee.

Winding stairway up to Varlaam Monastery. Photo travelinknu.

Varlaam Monastery from the Great Meteoron. Photo Neil Carey.

Another view of Varlaam from Great Meteoron. Photo syslog.

Varlaam Courtyard

View of church domes from Varlaam's courtyard. Photo Dino.

Varlaam Winch

Windlass and rope in Varlaam's tower. Photo Charles Lee.

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

Varlaam Monastery (or Barlaam Monastery) in the Meteora is named for the monk who first built a tiny chapel on this rocky promontory in the 14th century. It has an elegant church with 16th-century frescoes by a well-known iconographer and other notable buildings.

History

In 1350, an ascetic monk named Varlaam climbed this great rock and settled at the top. He built three churches, a cell for himself and a water tank. No one chose to follow his lead, so after his death the site was abandoned.

The buildings fell into ruin for almost 200 years until 1517, when two rich priest-monks, Theophanes and Nektarios Apsarades from Ioanina, ascended the rock and founded a monastery. According to legend, they had to drive away the monster who lived in a cave on the summit before they could move in.

The brothers renovated Varlaam's church of the Three Hierarchs, erected the tower, and built a katholikon (1541-42) dedicated to All Saints. Using ropes, pulleys and baskets, it took 22 years to hoist all the building materials to the top of the rock. Once everything was at the top, the construction work took only 20 days.

Varlaam Monastery was continously occupied by monks (about 35 at a time) throughout the 16th century and into the early 17th century, after which it began to decline. Steps were first carved into the rock in the early 19th century and have been altered several times since.

What to See

Today, Varlaam Monastery is occupied by seven monks and can be accessed by a narrow bridge that runs from the main road. There is a pleasant garden in the compound, where a monk sometimes sits and chats with visitors.

The Late Byzantine katholikon of Varlaam has a cross-in-square plan with a west narthex, with a dome in each section. The frescoes in the main church were painted by the celebrated iconographer Frangos Katelanos of Thebes in 1548 (the date is inscribed on the south wall). The narthex was frescoed in 1566 by the brothers George and Frangos Kondares of Thebes.

North of the katholikon is the small "Parekklesion of the Three," an aisleless chapel dedicated to the three great bishops St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian, and St. John Chrysostom. Originally built by Varlaam in c.1350, it was repaired by the founders in c.1520, renovated in 1627 and decorated with frescoes in 1637.

The tower contains the old windlass and rope basket (1536), which used to transport monks and supplies to the monastery. When asked how often the rope was replaced, a 19th-century abbot famously replied, "Only when it breaks." It was used as recently as 1961-63, when the refectory was renovated into a museum of religous artifacts.

The monastery's museum displays a fine collection of relics, carved wooden crosses, icons, embroidered epitaphoi and many other eccelesiastical treasures. Varlaam also possesses over 300 religious manuscripts copied by monks, some of which are displayed in the sacristy.

The monastic kitchen is an elegant vaulted structure with an octagonal dome leading to a chimney. The original water barrel, which can hold 12 tons of rainwater, is on display in a storeroom.

Quick Facts

Site Information

Names:	Varlaam Monastery; Barlaam
Dedicated to:	All Saints
Location:	Meteora, Thessaly, Greece
Category:	Abbeys & Monasteries; World Heritage Sites
Faith:	Christianity
Denomination:	Greek Orthodox
Status:	active
Date:	1350; 1517-42
Architecture:	Byzantine
Features:	Spectacular Setting; Murals/Frescoes

Visitor Information

Coordinates:	39.725128° N, 21.629806° E (view on Google Maps)
Address:	The Meteora, Thessaly, Greece
Phone:	24320/22-277
Hours:	Daily 9am-1pm, 3:30-6pm (hours may vary). Closed Fridays in winter.
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:

Blue Guide Greece: The Mainland, 7th ed. (W.W. Norton, 2006), 549.
Varlaam - Frommer's Greece
Varlaam (Barlaam) - Rough Guide to Greece
The Holy Monastery of Varlaam - 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.