Sacred Destinations

An illustrated guide to sacred sites, pilgrimages, sacred art and historic religious places around the world.
Bookmark This Page

Agios Stephanos Monastery, Meteora  A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Agios Stephanos
Agios Stephanos. Photo Creative Commons License Alan Grant.

Agios Stephanos
Agios Stephanos. Photo Creative Commons License Alan Grant.



Agios Stephanos (St. Stephen) Monastery is one of the monasteries of the Meteora in northern Greece.

Founded in the 14th century, St. Stephen is now a functioning convent for nuns. It is located almost on the outskirts of Kalambaka, but a bridge from the main road makes it easy to get there.

Ayios Stephanos was badly damaged in World War II and the civil war that followed; many priceless frescoes were defaced and others were totally destroyed. Fortunately, the monastery's most famous relic was saved: the head of St. Charalambos, whose powers include warding off illness.

Recently, the nuns have been attempting to restore sections of the monastery that had been allowed to decline. Donations are welcomed.

Agios Stephanos also has a small museum with ecclesiastical robes and objects.

Quick Facts

Location: The Meteora, Thessaly, Greece
Phone: No phone
Hours: Usually open Tues-Sun 9am-1pm and 3:30-6pm
Cost: 2€

Travel Resources

If you want to hire a private guide, speak to the concierge at your hotel, or contact the Association of Official Guides in Athens (tel. 210/322-9705). Expect to pay from 100€ for a 5-hour tour.

The busiest tourist season at Meteora is between May and September. The mountain range to the east and north of Meteora experiences baking heat in summer and severe cold in winter with heavy snowfalls. Summer is the driest time. Storms occur year round, especially at higher altitudes.

Most visitors to Meteora stay in Kalambaka or Kastraki, the two closest villages to Meteora.

More Information


Sacred Destinations Home    Contact Us    About Us    About Images    Photo Prints    Advertise    Travel Blog    Spiritual Tours    Travel Blog    Timeshares    Privacy Policy
Except where indicated otherwise, all content and images © 2005-08 Sacred Destinations. All rights reserved.
Free content for your Google homepage or website! Get our photo gadget.
Sacred Destinations is an online travel guide to sacred sites, pilgrimages, holy places, religious history, sacred places, historical religious sites, archaeological sites,
religious festivals, sacred sites, spiritual retreats, religious travel and spiritual journeys. We are a Yahoo Pick!
Popular categories: Ancient Mysteries, Biblical Sites, Cathedrals, Catholic Shrines, Dead on Display, Footsteps of Jesus, Luther Sites