2010.11: Monastery of Rousanou, Meteora, Thessaly, Greece

Location: Monastery of Rousanou, Meteora, Thessaly, Greece

Date: 2010.11

Photographer: Jesen

Camera: Nikon

Retouch: Adobe Photoshop

Copyright: www.haomingxiong.com

The Holy Monastery of Roussanou, located at Meteora Greece was first established in the 14th century. It received the name “Roussanou” probably from the first hermit-monk who settled on the rock around that period. The monastery is one single building occupying the entire available surface of the cliff. It creates the impression that the building was carved out from the cliff as the extension of the rock itself! It was mainly built in three main levels in the 16th century, in an effort to increase the available space inside. The main cathedral was founded at the end of the 16th century and was decorated thirty years later by a monk who was a very skillful artist and lived at the monastery of Roussanou. Compared to other rocks where monasteries were built, the one of Roussanou has a lower elevation, which makes it more accessible. The monastery was initially founded by monks and it suffered severe damage during World War II. It became a convent not that long ago in 1988 and today more than 15 sister nuns live in the small and cozy monastery of Roussanou.

JESEN Photo