It was founded in the 14th century by the ascetic-anchorite Varlaam, who was the first to climb the big rock and built there a small temple of the Three Hierarchs and a few cells. In the 16th century, after almost 200 years of desolation, two brothers from Ioannina, the priest-monks Theophanes and Nektarios the Apsarades sons of a prominent Byzantine family, settled on the rock. They rebuilt on the ruins of the old buildings, two of the most beautiful churches of Meteora, the Temple of All Saints and the Temple of Saint John the Baptist.

Admire the impressive wall-paintings in the main temple, which were created by the famous painter Fragos Katelanos and are considered to be among the best of Meteora. Don’t miss to visit the old kitchen, the hospital and the old dining room, which is used today as sacristy and museum.

The library of the Varlaam Monastery has a remarkable collection of rarely illustrated manuscripts and old books, which come from the well-organized bibliographic workshop that operated in the early 17th century. In the museum are also exhibited many other ecclesiastic heirlooms, such as post-Byzantine portable pictures, ecclesiastic utensils and gold-embroidered vestments, which were made in the embroidery workshop of the monastery.

Finally, stand for a while in the small, stepped courtyard of the monastery, which forms a wonderful balcony with a magnificent view of the area and its surrounding huge rocks.

• The monastery celebrates: the All Saints’ Day
• Contact: +30 24320 22277
• Summer visiting hours: 09:00 – 16:00 Every Friday closed
• Winter visiting hours: 09:00 – 15:00 Every Thursday & Friday closed