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Monastery · Kalambaka, Tessália
Mosteiro de São Nicolau Anapafsas (Moni Agiou Nikolaou Anapafsa)
The first monastery on the road, near Kastraki, built in levels on a narrow rock. It houses the 1527 frescoes by Teófanes, the Cretan, the painter’s oldest dated work.
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 São Nicolau Anapafsas (Moni Agiou Nikolaou Anapafsa)
Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas is the monastery closest to Kastraki and the first you see when you drive up the road. The rock is so narrow that the monks built upwards: the chapel of Saint Anthony and a crypt at the entrance level, the church on the middle floor, and the refectory, sacristy and the chapel of Saint John the Baptist above. The present church was raised in the early 16th century by the metropolitan of Larissa, Dionísio, and by the monk Nicanor.
What draws visitors are the narthex paintings, signed by Teófanes Strelitzas Bathas, known as Teófanes, the Cretan, in October 1527. It is the painter’s oldest dated work; he later decorated monasteries on Mount Athos. Among the scenes is Adão nomeando os animais, one of the most reproduced images of Meteora. The space is small and the paintings are at eye level.
The climb is via a stone staircase that starts from the road, with about 140 steps, many of them wide. From the top you can see the village of Kastraki, the Doupiani rock and the ruined monasteries on the neighbouring pillars. It is usually closed on Fridays for most of the year; 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
In the morning, as the first stop on the road, when tour groups are still at the upper monasteries. It usually closes on Fridays; hours are shorter in winter. Check before you go.
How to get there
It is about 2 km from Kastraki along the monastery road; the parking is on the roadside, where the staircase begins. On foot, the old trail leaves the centre of Kastraki, passes the Doupiani rock and reaches the base of the stairs in around 30 minutes.
Tip
Bring a torch or use your phone light: the narthex paintings are in a small, dark space. It is one of the less crowded monasteries; great for those who want to view frescoes at leisure. For photos of the façade, the best spot is the road a little above, looking back.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Mosteiro de São Nicolau Anapafsas (Moni Agiou Nikolaou Anapafsa)
Why is Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas important?
Because of the narthex paintings, dated October 1527 and signed by Teófanes the Cretan, who later became one of the great painters of Monte Atos. It is his oldest dated work.
Is the monastery large?
No. The rock is narrow and the building was constructed in three floors: chapel and crypt below, church in the middle, refectory and chapel of São João above.
How many steps are there on the ascent?
About 140 stone steps from the road, with a handrail along much of the route.
On which day does it close?
It usually closes on Fridays, with reduced hours from November to March. Confirm before you go.