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Monastery · Kalambaka, Tessália
Mosteiro de Rousanou (Moni Rousanou)
Female monastery on a narrow rock between Varlaam and Agios Nikolaos, dedicated to Santa Bárbara. 16th-century church with frescoes from 1560 of the Cretan school; access by bridge and about 140 steps.
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 de Rousanou (Moni Rousanou)
Rousanou occupies entirely the top of a low, thin pillar, so it looks as if it grows out of the rock itself. Two monks from Ioannina, Ioasaf and Máximo, settled here between 1527 and 1529 and built the current church around 1530, perhaps over older ruins. The name appears in 16th-century documents and may come from the first hermit or from the founder of the original chapel.
The interior of the church, dedicated to Transfiguração and also known as Santa Bárbara, is covered with paintings dated 1560 by an inscription above the door. The style is that of the Cretan school, and the work is attributed to the painter Tzortzis, the same artist linked to the Grande Meteoro. The building has three floors: the church in the middle, the cells and the guesthouse above and below.
Since 1988 it has been inhabited by nuns, and the community looks after the gardens and the flowered balconies visitors see on arrival. Access is via a short bridge from the road and a staircase of about 140 steps, one of the easiest climbs in Meteora.
The Psaropetra viewpoint, on the roadside a little above, frames Rousanou with Varlaam and the Grande Meteoro in the background; it is the most photographed spot in the complex, especially at the end of the day. It usually closes 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 40 minutes to 1 hour.
Best time
Early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the light hits the rock and the parking is quieter. It usually closes on Wednesdays; check. The Psaropetra viewpoint, just above, is popular at sunset and tends to get crowded.
How to get there
It is on the monastery road, about 4 km from Kastraki, between Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas and Varlaam. The parking is small and is on the roadside; the bridge to the monastery starts there. On foot, the old trail descends from Kastraki and climbs up here in about 45 minutes; from Varlaam it’s about 15 minutes along the road.
Tip
It’s the monastery with the shortest climb: a good choice for those who have difficulty with stairs. Combine it with the Psaropetra viewpoint, a few metres up the road, and arrive before sunset to get a spot. Skirts for loan at the entrance; shoulders must be covered.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Mosteiro de Rousanou (Moni Rousanou)
Is Rousanou easy to climb?
It is the shortest ascent in Meteora: a bridge from the road and about 140 steps. Even so, there are steep sections; wear sturdy trainers.
Is Rousanou a nunnery?
Yes, since 1988 it has been a female community. The nuns take care of the church, the gardens and the small shop.
Where is the viewpoint that overlooks Rousanou?
The Psaropetra viewpoint is on the side of the road, just above the monastery, with Varlaam and the Great Meteoro in the background. There is a small parking area that usually fills up at the end of the day.
On which day of the week does Rousanou close?
It usually closes on Wednesdays year-round. Confirm before you go.