Panagia Mavriotissa Monastery
Panagia Mavriotissa Monastery
Panagia Mavriotissa Monastery
4.5
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Popular mentions
4.5
361 reviews
Excellent
239
Very good
90
Average
27
Poor
1
Terrible
4
HectorK
London, UK7 contributions
Apr 2014 • Couples
The monastery enjoys a beautiful lake-side location, and appears to be very well maintained. Built in 1082, what's truly remarkable about it are the frescoes, found both on the outside and on the inside of the church. They depict a wonderful Baptism - but also a truly chilling sequence consigned to the Apocalypse (the Second Coming), where, among some pretty hair-raising scenes, one finds what I took to be the most directly anti-semitic bit of iconography I have ever seen in a Byzantine church: a group of bearded, crook-nosed, clearly rabbinical figures pushed (and sort of skewered, with a spear) into a cauldron by an angel/saint. It, alongside the rest of the frescoes, is a stunning piece of medieval art - but it is also a chilling reminder of the deep roots of anti-semitism in a culture (which, I note with shame, is also my own) that saw that almost the entire Jewish population of once-prosperous Kastoria was deported to the death camps during WW2. The monastery, adjoined by a smaller, more recent chapel that also holds some interest, is a place to visit for its beauty and historical importance - but also as a reminder of the truth in the saying: every monument to civilisation is also a monument to barbarism.
Written 13 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
709nitak
651b Whitehorse Road34 contributions
Jul 2019
Great if you can get to this place of spiritual worship, the monastery is well looked after with lovely hand painted icons to see, I had the fortune to christen a child here also which was magical. Clergy are friendly locals who are happy to welcome visitors.
Written 17 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
christina
42 contributions
May 2018 • Family
Like all Orthodox Monasteries, still operates every day for locals and visitors. No special dress code, but try to be respectful.
Written 20 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GEORGIOS K
Kastoria, Greece94 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
A very well known church of Kastoria, that is now a monastery. The drawings inside are breathtaking and the tranquillity of the lake outside soothing. Recomended for any traveler who is in for the round trip of the Kastoria peninsula.
Written 22 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael Adamidis 🇬🇷
Kastoria, Greece6,616 contributions
Feb 2018 • Friends
definetely it is a "must" visit the two churches (small monastery)of panagia mavriotissa monastery .it is two churches of 11th century byzantine era and it is one of the top ten visits of the otwn of kastoria.driving by car by the lake or walking by the lake round of the city you will find it .
The Monastery of Panagia Mavriotissa (Greek: Παναγία Μαυριώτισσα) is a monastery that is built on the spot where troops of Byzantine military commander George Palaiologos encircled the attacking Normans in 1083. It is believed that the emperor Alexios I Komnenos (r. 1081-1118) built the monastery there to commemorate the event.[1]
The monastery was initially named Mesonesiotissa ("in the middle of the island") and in the beginning of the 17th century it renamed itself to Krepenitissa ("of Krepeni") after the name of the nearby village Krepeni. Sometime from the middle to late 17th century it changed its name to Mavriotissa ("of Mavrovo") after the Greek village Mavrovo near Kastoria city.Surrounding the region of the lake of Kastoria there are 72 churches and chapels, Mavriotissa being one of the earliest of them.
someone can go also on sunday morning for the liturgy and other days as the religious programm of the christian greek church.
The Monastery of Panagia Mavriotissa (Greek: Παναγία Μαυριώτισσα) is a monastery that is built on the spot where troops of Byzantine military commander George Palaiologos encircled the attacking Normans in 1083. It is believed that the emperor Alexios I Komnenos (r. 1081-1118) built the monastery there to commemorate the event.[1]
The monastery was initially named Mesonesiotissa ("in the middle of the island") and in the beginning of the 17th century it renamed itself to Krepenitissa ("of Krepeni") after the name of the nearby village Krepeni. Sometime from the middle to late 17th century it changed its name to Mavriotissa ("of Mavrovo") after the Greek village Mavrovo near Kastoria city.Surrounding the region of the lake of Kastoria there are 72 churches and chapels, Mavriotissa being one of the earliest of them.
someone can go also on sunday morning for the liturgy and other days as the religious programm of the christian greek church.
Written 14 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine
Paris, France314 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
On my way around the lake, I walked past the monastery and hoped to watch the mural paintings and visit the church but nothing is done there to welcome you. The Pope goes about his business and does not acknowledge your presence whatsoever. A very bizarre impression.
Written 13 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shaysegal
Ra'anana, Israel399 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
This place is located near to the lake. there is free parking and the entrance is also free. The paintings are beautiful
Written 25 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eleni12
UK33 contributions
Aug 2016
Short distance from the city recently renovated and reopened. Can be combined with a visit to the dragon's lair cave. It would have been nice for visitors to receive some information about the history of the monastery
Written 24 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thanos o
115 contributions
Mar 2016 • Family
A very well preserved monastery although dated from the 11th century in front of the lake.
It is located not far from the centre of Kastoria and someone can go there by car, by bike (you can rent one), or even on foot.
It is located not far from the centre of Kastoria and someone can go there by car, by bike (you can rent one), or even on foot.
Written 27 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter K
Adelaide, Australia355 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
Not far from the centre of Kastoria, very peaceful setting along the lake.
Very clean and lots of room for parking if you are visiting by car.
Very clean and lots of room for parking if you are visiting by car.
Written 27 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the monastery open for visits on Thursday and what are the opening hours?
Written 31 October 2019
Yes, it is open. From 8 to 18.00.
Written 9 March 2020
Elsa R
Athens, Greece
Καλησπέρα , ηθελα να ρωτησω αν η Μονή έχει καποιο άτομο (ξεναγο) ή αν το τουριστικό γραφείο θα χρειαστεί να καλέσει καποιον.
Written 4 June 2019
Συνήθως υπάρχει κάποιος στο κατάστημα με τα αναμνηστικά που μπορεί να βοηθήσει και να δώσει κάποιες πληροφορίες. Το μέγεθος της μονής είναι πολύ μικρό. ουσιαστικά είναι μια μικρή εκκλησία και ο προαύλιος χώρος. Μπορεί να συνδυαστεί με την επίσκεψη στο σπήλαιο που είναι πολύ κοντά
Written 5 June 2019
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