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Monastery · Kalambaka, Tessália
Mosteiro da Santíssima Trindade (Moni Agias Triados)
The monastery of the Santíssima Trindade, isolated atop a separate pillar, with a church dating to 1475 and a chapel carved into the rock. The climb has about 140 steps along a staircase cut into the stone, and the view reaches Kalambaka and the plain.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Mosteiro da Santíssima Trindade (Moni Agias Triados)
Agia Triada occupies an isolated pillar apart from the other monasteries, above the town of Kalambaka, and is the most iconic image of Meteora: the vertical rock with the building on top and nothing around. A 1362 document kept in the Grande Meteoro suggests there were already monks on the rock in the 14th century. The main church was built in 1475 and 1476, according to an inscription, and has a cruciform plan with a dome supported on two columns.
The narthex paintings date from 1692, and the interior church paintings from 1741, executed by the brothers Antônio and Nicolau. Beside it is the chapel of Saint John the Baptist, carved into the rock, with paintings from 1682. The monastery lost much of its treasure during the Second World War, and what remained of the manuscripts was taken to Agios Stefanos.
To climb up, you descend from the road along a path and then ascend a staircase cut into the rock in 1925, with about 140 steps; a small cable lift beside it carries provisions. From the top the view opens to Kalambaka, the plain of Tessália and the Pindo mountains. An old trail descends directly from the monastery to the town in about 30 to 40 minutes.
It usually closes on Thursdays, and in winter also on Wednesdays. Check before you go.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 hour to 1h30, including the descent and the climb up the stairs.
Best time
Mid-morning, after the monasteries on the other side, or early afternoon, when the sun lights the façade. It usually closes on Thursdays (and on Wednesdays in winter); check.
How to get there
It is located on the monasteries' road, about 8 km from Kastraki if you take the full loop, or around 3 km from Kalambaka by the road that starts in the upper neighborhood. From the parking lot, a path goes down and the staircase climbs up the rock. On foot, the old trail starts at the end of the street that climbs behind the igreja da Dormição in Kalambaka and reaches the mosteiro in 30 to 40 minutes.
Tip
This is the most demanding climb, with descents and ascents: wear sneakers and bring water. If you don't have a car you can climb from Kalambaka on foot and follow the road to Agios Stefanos, which is 1 km away. The terrace facing the town is the photo spot in the late morning.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Mosteiro da Santíssima Trindade (Moni Agias Triados)
Is Agia Triada difficult to climb?
It's the most tiring of the six: from the parking area you go down a path and then climb a staircase of about 140 steps cut into the rock. At a steady pace, most people manage.
Can you walk from Kalambaka to Agia Triada?
Yes. An old trail starts from the upper quarter of Kalambaka, behind the Church of the Dormition, and reaches the monastery in 30 to 40 minutes of uphill walking.
What can you see from up there?
The town of Kalambaka just below, the plain of Tessália and the Pindus mountains in the background. The rock is isolated, so the view is open in all directions.
On which day does Agia Triada close?
It usually closes on Thursdays; in winter it also closes on Wednesdays. Confirm before you go.