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Greece

Περιφερειακή Ενότητα Τρικάλων

Varlaam Monastery

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Places to see

Greece

Περιφερειακή Ενότητα Τρικάλων

Varlaam Monastery

Highlight • Religious Site

Varlaam Monastery

Recommended by 143 hikers out of 145

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Location: Περιφερειακή Ενότητα Τρικάλων, Greece

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Best Hikes to Varlaam Monastery

4.6

(172)

638

hikers

1. View of the Varlaam Monastery – Roussanou Monastery loop from Kastraki

10.9km

03:19

370m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.8

(50)

168

hikers

2. Varlaam Monastery – View of Varlaam Monastery loop from Καλαμπάκα

10.7km

03:22

410m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.6

(50)

160

hikers

3. View of the Thumb of Meteora – View of Varlaam Monastery loop from Kastraki

6.20km

02:15

360m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Moderate

Tips

Rainer & Petra

June 23, 2024

For me personally the most interesting monastery because of the view and paintings.

Translated by Google •

Rainer & Petra

June 23, 2024

In the 14th and 15th centuries, the ascetics began to climb higher, huge rocks with the help of winches and poles. The monks felt not only undisturbed in the Meteora monasteries, but also safer from looters and raids because the monasteries could only be entered via ladders and ropes.
From the 14th century onwards, the monks built 19 monasteries and the complexes were supported financially and by granting privileges by pious regional rulers such as King Symeon. Over the years, a number of monasteries and hermitages were built. The entire complex now consists of 24 individual monasteries and hermitages, of which only six are still inhabited. The remaining eighteen monasteries are either too difficult to reach or have been abandoned due to the risk of collapse. The individual monasteries are only 1.5 to 3 km apart!

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Marion

September 23, 2025

Varlaam: The monastery, originally founded as a hermitage in the mid-14th century, is still inhabited. After the death of the first hermit, the site remained unused for several years. Construction of the monastery began in 1518 and was likely completed in 1535. The founders of the building stipulated a cenobitic lifestyle in their wills. A traveler from 1779 noted in his travelogue that no woman had entered the site since the monastery's construction.

Source: de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteora

Translated by Google •

Details

Informations

Elevation 500 m

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Tuesday 16 December

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Location: Περιφερειακή Ενότητα Τρικάλων, Greece

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Varlaam Monastery

1. View of the Varlaam Monastery – Roussanou Monastery loop from Kastraki

2. Varlaam Monastery – View of Varlaam Monastery loop from Καλαμπάκα

3. View of the Thumb of Meteora – View of Varlaam Monastery loop from Kastraki

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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