The Pelekiti Monastery at Lake Plastiras

The Pelekiti Monastery, the “Virgin of the Rocks,” emerges “hanging” on the steep slopes of Agrafa at an altitude of 1400 m, about 1 km northwest of the village of Karitsa, in the Municipality of Lake Plastiras. The view towards the southern part of the lake is impressive, but the image of the monastery is so imposing that it will immediately capture your attention!

This important post-Byzantine monument is one of the most impressive monasteries in the P.E. of Karditsa and certainly the most impressive in the area of Lake Plastiras. According to legend, it was "hewn" in this particular location with wooden tools after a revelation from the Virgin Mary. The date of its foundation is lost in the "fog" of time, although it is likely placed in the 15th century AD, when after the discovery of a miniature miraculous icon, the former castle was transformed into a monastery. It took its present form around 1550 by the New Hieromartyr Damianos, who is recorded as "founder" in two of its frescoes.

It was originally known as the "Monastery of the Ascension of Christ," later as "Panagia Faneromeni," but in the end, the name "Panagia Pelekiti" prevailed. It was painted during the second half of the 17th century. Among the icons, we find wonderful examples of the Cretan School. It consists of two churches, the Holy Church of the Ascension of Christ and the Katholikon of the Monastery, while in the cavernous interior, in a devotional atmosphere, the visitor will also see the *archontariki* (guest house), the *igoumenio* (abbot's residence), escape hatches, a secret school, the footprints of the Virgin Mary, etc.

The monastery has been recognized since 1939 as a listed historical monument. It celebrates on August 15, the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, while the monastery's second major festival is on September 8 (Nativity of the Virgin Mary). During the winter months, it is open to visitors Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.