Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausa

Going up to Meteora from the village of Kastraki, shortly after the chapel of Panagia Doupiani and between the ruined monasteries of Prodromos, Agia Moni and Pantokratoros, the men’s Holy Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Anapausas is located on its narrow rock. The frescoes that decorate the small catholicon of the monastery are considered among the most important ensembles of post-Byzantine painting.

The rock on which the Monastery was built is small in area with a limited surface at its top. This also in influenced the building configuration and organization of the spaces that were developed vertically in a multi-storey building.

On the lower floor of the monastery is the chapel of Agios Antonios, from the 14th century with traces of hagiographies, and a crypt. Since the first decade of the 20th century, the monastery was abandoned and began to fall into ruin. In the 1960s, it was renovated and restored by the Archaeological Service.

It is not certain where the Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas owes its name. Most likely to some old builder/founder, who should be placed chronologically in the 14th century, along with the beginnings of monastic life on this rock.

As in other monasteries, the Monastery had a tower with a traditional elevator with a net, which has survived to this day. For the ascent, a hanging wooden staircase with 62 steps and a height of 60-70m also operated. Today, there is easy access with the 80 carved steps, which were constructed in the years 1932-36.