Kaisariani Monastery

Kaisariani Monastery tickets: which one to buy

The Monastery of Kaisariani stands in a pine forest on the slopes of Mount Hymettus, about five kilometres east of central Athens, and a small admission is charged; the monastery is closed on Mondays. It is one of the most peaceful places near Athens, and it is a popular spot for walks and picnics. Visitors can reach it by bus 224 from the city centre to the suburb of Kaisariani, followed by a walk uphill of about half an hour, or by taxi.

The forest around the monastery has walking paths leading further up the mountain, with views over Athens and the sea. The monastery is managed by the Ministry of Culture and is no longer inhabited by monks. Visitors often combine Kaisariani with the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens. Modest dress is appreciated. Taxis from Syntagma Square to the monastery take about twenty minutes.

Visiting Kaisariani Monastery: what to see

The monastery was built in the late eleventh century, on the site of an earlier Christian basilica and possibly an ancient temple, and it flourished during the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, known for its library and its honey. The main church, dedicated to the Presentation of the Virgin, is a cross-in-square church with a dome, built of stone and brick. Inside, the walls are covered with frescoes painted in the seventeenth century, mainly by artists of the Cretan school, including a cycle attributed to Ioannis Ypatios, showing scenes from the life of Christ and saints, with a Christ Pantocrator in the dome. The monastery complex includes a bath house, later used as an olive press, a refectory with a large fireplace, and monks' cells arranged around a courtyard.

Outside the walls, a spring flows from a fountain carved with a ram's head, and its water was believed in antiquity to cure infertility. The dome's Christ Pantocrator is surrounded by angels and prophets. The frescoes in the narthex include the Last Judgement and scenes of the lives of the saints. The church's marble iconostasis was added later. The refectory's walls hold faded frescoes, and its large fireplace was used for cooking. The bath house, with a dome, dates from the Byzantine period. The courtyard's trees provide shade. The ram's head fountain feeds a small pool. The monastery's walls enclose the buildings in a quiet space. The forest paths lead to other small churches on the mountain. The views from the paths take in the Acropolis and the sea.

Kaisariani Monastery opening hours and the best time to go

The monastery is open from Tuesday to Sunday, closed on Mondays, with shorter hours in winter. Summer is hot in Athens, but the pine forest is cooler, and early morning visits are best. Spring is beautiful, when wildflowers bloom on Hymettus. Weekends bring Athenians for walks and picnics. The monastery's feast day, the Presentation of the Virgin, on 21 November, brings a service. Allow about half an hour for the monastery, and walk up the mountain paths for views over Athens. The Byzantine and Christian Museum in central Athens displays icons, frescoes and mosaics from churches across Greece.