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Monastery · Kalambaka, Tessália
Mosteiro de Santo Estêvão (Moni Agiou Stefanou)
Female monastery at the end of the road, the only one reachable by a bridge without stairs. Old 14th-century church, the church of Agios Charalambos from 1798, and a museum with manuscripts and embroideries.
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 Santo Estêvão (Moni Agiou Stefanou)
Agios Stefanos sits at the end of the monasteries' road, above the town of Kalambaka, and is the most accessible of them all: a stone bridge links the parking directly to the gate, with no stairs. A lost inscription recorded a first hermit on the rock in 1191 and 1192, and the old church, dedicated to Santo Estêvão, is a small wooden‑roofed basilica with icons dating to around 1545.
The current main church, dedicated to Agios Charalambos, was built in 1798, with a dome on four columns and a columned portico added in the 19th century. The carved wooden iconostasis, from 1814, is the work of craftsmen from Metsovo, in Epirus, and preserves the saint’s relic. The old church lost part of its paintings during World War II and the civil war, when the mosteiro was occupied.
Since 1961 the mosteiro has been inhabited by nuns, and it is the largest community in Meteora. The old refectory became a museum, with manuscripts, icons, vestments embroidered in gold and silver pieces. The gardens and the terraces facing Kalambaka are tended by the sisters, and the view drops straight to the town and the river Pineios.
It usually closes on Mondays. 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
45 minutes to 1 hour.
Best time
Late morning or early afternoon, as the last stop of the circuit. It usually closes on Mondays; opening hours have a midday break, so check before you go.
How to get there
It stands at the end of the monasteries' road, about 1 km past Agia Triada, with parking in front. From Kalambaka it's about 4 km by car or taxi. The local bus reaches this point at certain times; on foot you can walk down the road to Agia Triada and take the trail to the town.
Tip
This is the mosteiro recommended for those who cannot climb stairs: access is level via the bridge. It's worth seeing the 1814 iconostasis in the church of Agios Charalambos and the museum's embroideries. To photograph Kalambaka from above, use the terrace on the south side.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Mosteiro de Santo Estêvão (Moni Agiou Stefanou)
Does Agios Stefanos have stairs?
No. It is the only Meteora monastery that is reached by a flat bridge from the parking area, so it is the most suitable for those with mobility difficulties.
What to see in Agios Stefanos?
The old 14th-century church, the church of Agios Charalambos (1798) with its carved iconostasis from 1814, the museum in the old refectory, and the terraces overlooking Kalambaka.
Is it a monastery of monks or nuns?
Of nuns, since 1961. It is the largest community in Meteora.
On which day does Agios Stefanos close?
It usually closes on Mondays. Confirm before you go.