Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas

Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas tickets: which one to buy

Saint Nicholas Anapausas is the first monastery you reach on the road from the village of Kastraki to the Meteora rocks, and it is the smallest of the active monasteries in terms of space, built on a narrow pinnacle. Entry is ticketed, cheaply. It is reached by a path and about a hundred and fifty steps cut into the rock, which is manageable for most visitors. Because it is lower down and a little away from the main cluster of monasteries, it is often skipped by minibus tours with limited time, so it can be quiet.

Hikers walking up from Kastraki on the old footpaths pass beneath it. Like the other monasteries, it closes one day a week, often Friday, so check before planning. Dress rules are enforced, with skirts lent to women at the entrance. There is limited parking beside the road below the steps. The steps are steep in places, and there is a handrail most of the way.

Visiting Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas: what to see

The monastery dates from the fourteenth century, and the present buildings from the sixteenth. Because the top of the rock is so small, the buildings are arranged on several levels, stacked on top of one another. The main church, dedicated to Saint Nicholas, is decorated with frescoes painted in 1527 by Theophanis Strelitzas, known as Theophanis the Cretan, one of the leading painters of the Cretan school. The frescoes include a scene of Adam naming the animals in Paradise, with lively depictions of creatures, and a famous image of the Last Judgement.

The name Anapausas is thought to refer to rest, perhaps the rest of travellers or of the founder. From the top terrace there are fine views of Kastraki, the valley and the other monasteries. The monastery is inhabited by a small number of monks. The small refectory and the ossuary are shown on some days, and a chapel dedicated to Saint Antony stands on the lower level. The frescoes of the church are among the earliest works of Theophanis in Greece, painted before his famous work on Mount Athos. Narrow steps and passages connect the levels.

Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas opening hours and the best time to go

The monastery is open daily except its closing day, with shorter hours in winter. Mornings are the best time for quiet visits and cooler weather. Spring, when the valley is green, and autumn are the best seasons; summer is hot, and winter can bring snow. Because it is less visited than the larger monasteries, it can be a peaceful alternative in the middle of the day. Kastraki, at the foot of the rocks, has guesthouses and tavernas, and staying there allows early starts. Allow about thirty minutes for the visit, and continue up the road or the footpath to the Great Meteoron and Varlaam. Kastraki's tavernas serve local dishes and are within walking distance of the monastery path.