The monasteries and churches of Greece are a unique experience for visitors making the journey for this purpose. Some are located next to the sea, others are hung on the edge of a cliff and others are so steep that even their approach is difficult. The Monastery of Kipina in the village of Kalarrites in Tzoumerka, Epirus is considered one of the most impressive monasteries in Greece in terms of its architecture. The images you encounter there are awe-inspiring and unique not only in Greece but also on your trips abroad. It’s definitely a trip and a destination you’ll never forget.
Kipina Monastery: The monastery that is wedged in the rock
The Monastery of Kipina was built in the 13th century and is located near the beautiful village of Kalarrites in Tzoumerka. As soon as you arrive, you’ll see the impressive construction of the monastery which is wedged in a rock on a steep slope. The Kalarrytikos River flows underneath it making the scenery even more idyllic.
The Holy Monastery of Kipina is one of the most impressive monasteries in Epirus and Greece. During the Turkish occupation, it was used as a hideout by the Greeks. You can see a wooden door in the temple that leads to the cave where the shelter was.
Inside the monastery, you can admire frescoes dating back to the 17th century and it is the ideal spot for tranquility and peace. Every time you are there you feel far from the mundane and you will be impressed by the technique that was used to be built this location.
In addition to the area of prayer in the Monastery of Kipina, there are also the cells of the monks divided into two levels as well as the reception areas. There is also a seating area on the ground floor in addition to the main area. The name of the monastery is said to be due to the gardens cultivated by the monks in a rocky and extremely difficult area.
How to get to Kipina Monastery
To get to the Monastery of Kipina, you will first need to travel on a paved road as on the map (please click HERE.). Then you will need to walk on a path and climb a wooden staircase. The view from the monastery is worth the effort.
Important note: Before you reach the Monastery of Kipina, it’s important to ask the nearby café of the settlement for the key. Once you’re there, you can prepare for peace and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Epirus.
Read also:
Reed: The sometimes lively village that they now call a ghost village
The unknown… Dolmas of Greece and the historical significance of the
Frequently Asked Questions
Kipina Monastery is located in the village of Kalarrites in Tzoumerka, Epirus, Greece. It sits wedged in a rock on a steep slope above the Kalarrytikos River, making it one of the most impressively positioned monasteries in Greece.
Kipina Monastery was built in the 13th century. Inside, you can admire frescoes dating back to the 17th century, and the monastery features a wooden door in the temple that leads to a cave shelter used by Greeks during the Turkish occupation.
To reach Kipina Monastery, you need to travel on a paved road to the settlement, then walk on a path and climb a wooden staircase. Before visiting, it's important to ask at the nearby café in the settlement for the key to access the monastery.
Inside Kipina Monastery, you can admire 17th-century frescoes, monk cells divided into two levels, reception areas, and a seating area on the ground floor. The monastery also features a wooden door leading to a historical cave shelter from the Turkish occupation period.
The name Kipina Monastery is said to derive from the gardens cultivated by the monks in the rocky and extremely difficult area surrounding the monastery. These gardens were an impressive feat of agriculture given the challenging terrain of the rock-wedged location.
