The Holy Monastery of the Philosopher
The Holy Monastery of the Philosopher
The Holy Monastery of the Philosopher
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
115 reviews
Excellent
84
Very good
23
Average
8
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Ana K
Israel48 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
We just came back from Peloponnese.
The day trekking we did to the monastery was wonderful!!
Start the trek in Ancient Gorthys (you can leave there the car) pass the bridge and start walking to the right/ in 100 meters you will see a map, with the indications.
The trekking is very steep, and it's better to do it early, before the hot weather begins.
It's worth the effort.
The day trekking we did to the monastery was wonderful!!
Start the trek in Ancient Gorthys (you can leave there the car) pass the bridge and start walking to the right/ in 100 meters you will see a map, with the indications.
The trekking is very steep, and it's better to do it early, before the hot weather begins.
It's worth the effort.
Written August 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IcicleCreek
United States177 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
Others have detailed the hike here as well as the history of the monastery, but do not miss the trek here if passing through Acadia. The monastery is hammered to a high cliff, much like a swallows nest. You don't realize you've reached it until it's almost on top of you. The photos from below and the trail beyond are amazing, but so are they photo ops from inside. Please respect the monastery's wishes and dress in long skirts (women), trousers/pants (men) and long-sleeved shirts (both). The monastery provides options if you didn't come prepared. Once inside, a monk may offer you coffee and dessert, but you can wander around admiring the place and taking photos, or you can make some small purchases (honor system) in the dining area. There are other monasteries farther up the trail, but none as spectacular as this one. We later went to Meteora and are still impressed by Prodromou. Note: Some of the guides called the windy road to the trailhead "scary." In our view, it was not in the least... particularly if you're used to driving Forest Service roads to trailheads in the American West.
Written June 18, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dirk W
Alexandra Headland, Australia10,147 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
It is easy to visit the "new" Philosopher's Monastery (new is a relative term here, seeing it dates back to 1691) ; the "old one" (going all the way to 963) is somewhat trickier . . . there's a rocky path down to the Lousios River, where its ruins are tucked a bit hidden against the rockface.
Even the new one is certainly worth a visit. It is a rather small building, built in the Byzantine style with large rocks and red bricks in between, a dome and terra cotta roof tiles. Unfortunately, apart from a million cats, there was nobody around during our visit and everything was closed. I read that the frescoes inside are beautiful.
The hiking must be fantastic in this region and from the Philosopher's Monastery you can see Prodromos Monastery in the distance on the Eastern side of the river - given and extra day I would have loved to walk there.
Even the new one is certainly worth a visit. It is a rather small building, built in the Byzantine style with large rocks and red bricks in between, a dome and terra cotta roof tiles. Unfortunately, apart from a million cats, there was nobody around during our visit and everything was closed. I read that the frescoes inside are beautiful.
The hiking must be fantastic in this region and from the Philosopher's Monastery you can see Prodromos Monastery in the distance on the Eastern side of the river - given and extra day I would have loved to walk there.
Written July 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SydneyS786
Atlanta, GA112 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
The greeting monk is so nice offering you water and some sweets. The frescos in the church are beautiful. This monastery is in the hills and one can visit the new one which is over 300 years old and/or take the trail to the old one along with the hidden school. The hike is not bad and the scenery is beautiful.
Written May 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NadiaHVal_des_Monts
Val-des-Monts39 contributions
Apr 2017
This hike has been reviewed before so I am adding to the accolades. The monk in the New Monastery is very welcoming and in his limited patter he stressed that we get to Moni Prodromou before it closes at 1pm. The walk to the old Monastery is a simple descent down stone steps and a short, steep rise to the edifice that is beautifully camoflagued with the rock. This ensured the survival of the secret school during the Ottoman reign. The walk through the forest with the Lousios River hurtling past is just a lovely sensory experience. The ascent up to Prodromou was twenty minutes from the bridge and monastic hospitality simply wonderful. Greek coffee, loukoumi, and dry biscuits were proffered as we gazed at the astounding frescoes on the interior rock face. The small chapel is equally impressive with all of the old iconography. We continued down to Ancisnt Gortys as it was just another 1.5 kms away. On the way we found a huge swath of orchids blooming. The ruins were awash with pink and white wildflowers making the environment stunning. The jade trees were also in their vibrant splendor making the hike so pleasurable. We did crisscross the river four times and did numerous ascents and descents but it was absolutely worth the four hours spent hiking this stupendous landscape.
Written April 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marylinmunroe
Drogheda, Ireland10 contributions
Sep 2016
It's a bit of a hike but worth the effort, the old monastery is amazing and the setting is just stunning
Written September 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GabieAthensGreece
Athens, Greece85 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
Founded in 963 AD by Ioannis Lambardopoulos – philosopher at the court of Emperor Nicephorus Phocas – the monastery was meant to Christianize and Hellenize the Slavic settlers in the region. It moved down from the rocks by the Lousios gorge in the 17th century. Note its church of the Dormition, icons and wall paintings.
Moni Philosophou
There are two monasteries of Philosophos, one old, the other new. According to the tradition, the Old Monastery was founded by Iohannes Lambardes the 'Philosopher' from Dimitsana in 960 circa. He served the emperor Nikiforos Fokas. Because of its inaccessibility, the monastery was used as 'secret school' to educate the Greeks during the Ottoman period. The wall paintings are in dire condition. It is a shame that they are bearly protected fron decay.
Moni Philosophou
There are two monasteries of Philosophos, one old, the other new. According to the tradition, the Old Monastery was founded by Iohannes Lambardes the 'Philosopher' from Dimitsana in 960 circa. He served the emperor Nikiforos Fokas. Because of its inaccessibility, the monastery was used as 'secret school' to educate the Greeks during the Ottoman period. The wall paintings are in dire condition. It is a shame that they are bearly protected fron decay.
Written May 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom Carter
647 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
Marvellous place, we hiked here from Dimitsana it is so peaceful here, the priests are welcoming and friendly. Take your time and enjoy, don’t rush.
Written July 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary D
Melbourne, Australia57 contributions
May 2019 • Family
At first the walk to the monastery appears to be a bit tough but it’s not really ..saw lots of old people walking down to the church and I thought if they can make it so can I and I’m so glad we went it is amazing ...when you go inside the ministry make sure when you seethe Fresco wall you enter the little room with two wooden doors it’s usually open and it’s a very small praying area ,very dark and beautiful...
Written May 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gaby2121
Ramat Gan, Israel78 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
We took the trek from the Holy Prodromo Monastery. A steep climb, but worth it.we were offered some water and sweets.
Written October 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Από Δημητσάνα ποσο μακρυά είναι η Μονή Φιλοσόφου? Επίσης πάει πούλμαν ως εκεί?
Written October 14, 2019
Όχι,δεν πάει,μόνο με τζιπ.και η διαδρομή πολύ δύσκολη λόγω στενότητας δρόμου και χωματόδρομου.
Written October 14, 2019
Is it possible to do a hiking in the Luisios Gore and see the monastery in the way? Where should I start the trekking? does it have signs to follow?
Thank you
Ana
Written June 12, 2017
I saw that there is bike renting in the area.
Does somebody know if I can rent a bike close to the monastery?
Is there a bike trail that can be done with children in the area?
Written May 23, 2017
HI
I'll be staying in Arkadia (half an hour from Dimitsiana.) Do I need a guide to arrive to the monastery? (I'll be driving a car)
Do I have to book in advance?
How long does the visit take?
Are there any other activities that you suggest in the area?
Thank you very much
Ana
Written May 21, 2017
Hi Ana,
Yes you need a car but do not need a guide nor an advanced booking. We drove to the New Philosofou Monastery from the north end of Dimitsana via Zatouna and Markoy (turn left after the bridge). This way has slightly better roads than from Stemnitsa. You enter the New monastery, are greeted by a monk who will give you some water and a very brief introduction of the history of his monastery. The small church is very beautiful.
You then have to walk down steps and a stone pathway into and along the gorge. You should explore the abandoned old monastery in the cliff which has gorgeous views across to Prodromou (Holy Monastery of the Philosopher). The walk to the other monastery is about 30 minutes, across a raging stream and up a steep path
You must arrive before 1pm and advise you to get there by 12 at the latest. You have to wear a skirt, no trousers and have your chest and shoulders covered. The monks are very welcoming and give you coffee and candy. They allow you to explore the small sanctuary and take in the atmosphere.
If you wish we then continued down to Ancient Gortys for more ruins and a delightful, tiny Byzantine church. You must, however, do the return trip back to the new monastery where you parked your car, so a lot of up and down crossing the river at least twice. It is well worth it and I would give the total hiking day at least 4 hours.
Nadia
Written May 22, 2017
We will be driving from Athens airport in mid morning to Olympia for overnight. Is it possible to visit the monastery for the day trip and do the hiking to the old monastery described in the reviews? I try to google the driving route to the monastery and not able to find the exact address. If we follow the driving direction to the town of Dimitsana, will there be any sign or direction to the monastery from the town center?
Written March 14, 2016
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