Prodromos Monastery

An incredible 16th century monastery, nestled in the cliffs of the Lussius Ravine, part of the mountainous Arcadia region. A 20 minute walk along a cliffside path leads to this extraordinary hidden gem.

About this building

The Monastery of Prodromos is built into the hollow of an overhanging cliff on the left side of the ravine Lussius, near the villages of Stemnitsa and Dimitsana. This monastery was probably built in the mid 16th century, although the monks suggest its construction is much older, dating to the 12th century. It is dedicated to Agios Ioannis Prodromos (Saint John the Baptist).

Historically, the building was used as a refuge and hospital for local fighters during the Turkish occupation, due to its hidden and impervious position. Besides an impressive collection of about 1000 ancient books and documents, the monastery has a lot to offer to visitors. The surrounding landscape is beyond beautiful, characterized by rocky cliffs and  verdant vegetation.

Key Features

  • Architecture
  • Atmosphere / quiet space
  • Wildlife

Other nearby buildings

Wikimedia Commons/Koppi2

Church of the Holy Apostles

The Church of the Holy Apostles is a Byzantine church, probably dating back to the 12th century. During the years of the second Venetian occupation (1685-1715), a basilica dome was added to the west of the original nucleus, in order to give more space to the church, as well as a bell tower in the northeast corner between the antennas of the cross. The church is decorated with frescoes which probably date from the 16th and 17th centuries and are preserved in a poor state.

Placeholder image

Church of Holy Mary Pantanassa

The church was built in 15th century (1428) in a autonomous Greek kingdom which created after the contemporary dissolution of Byzantin Empire(1204–1261). It's a cross in square with domed basilica.

Door Enpatrais (όνομα χρήστη στη Βικιπαίδεια) / Enpatrais op de Griekstalige Wikipedia - Eigen werk (Originele tekst: Δική μου φωτογραφία/Προσωπική Συλλογή), CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51542280

Mega Spilaio

The Mega Spilaio, founded in 362 AD, is one of the oldest monasteries in the Greek world. The main temple has wall paintings of 1653, a remarkable marble floor, an icon screen carved into the wood. In the narthex, the frescoes date from the beginning of the 19th century. The monastery has suffered greatly during the last two centuries, taking the side of the Greek revolutionaries in the War of Independence (1821-1829) and being the target of the Nazi massacres north of the Peloponnese. The monastery was rebuilt after the Second World War.