The Petra Monastery at Lake Plastira

The Monastery belongs administratively to the Municipality of Lake Plastira and geographically is located near the village of Katafygio, from which it takes its second name (Monastery of Petra Katafygiou). Access to the Monastery is via a road that starts from the village of Katafygio and continues through an impressive natural landscape with views of the Agrafa mountains and the wider area of the lake. The landscape around the Monastery is ideal for peaceful walks and offers moments of serenity and reflection.

In this location, during the Ottoman occupation, the men’s monastery of Panagia Petra was built. The construction of the monastery is believed to date between 1550–1600. It was named after the rock upon which it stands. To the northeast of the rock, there is a large natural cave. According to tradition, shepherds of the area discovered the miraculous icon of the Virgin Hodegetria there, believed to be a work of the Evangelist Luke.

The “Parthenon of Agrafa”

The Katholikon (main church) of the Monastery is dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary and is a characteristic example of monastic architecture of the era. It is a three-aisled basilica with a narthex, while its interior is adorned with impressive frescoes dating back to the 17th century. The carved wooden iconostasis stands out for its exceptional craftsmanship, along with portable icons of significant artistic and religious value.

The chapel to the southwest of the Katholikon is dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Savior. It was built during the same period as the Katholikon. It has the form of a single-aisled, cross-in-square church and was painted in 1673 by the painter Ioannis the “Humble.” It has been suggested that a symmetrical chapel once stood opposite it, though no traces of it were found during recent excavations.

Due to the high architectural value of its Katholikon, the Petra Monastery is often referred to as the “Parthenon of Agrafa.”

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The historical significance of the monastery

During the Ottoman occupation, the monastery played an important national role. It housed a library and a secret school, and many great fighters of the 1821 Revolution were sheltered there. Georgios Karaiskakis, “Captain of Agrafa,” came to the monastery in 1822 with his men, where he was hosted and celebrated Easter of 1823 with the monks. The Holy Monastery of Panagia Petra was also visited and admired by Saint Cosmas of Aetolia during the middle of his second missionary tour.

The monastery was abandoned in the early 20^th century, reoccupied in the 1920s–30s, and was deserted again during the 1980s. Today, it is home to a large and multinational male monastic community that has undertaken its renovation. The monastery was declared a “Historic Preserved Monument” in 1967. Its feast day is on August 15th (Dormition of the Virgin), as well as on the Transfiguration of the Savior (August 6th) and the Feast of the Life-Giving Spring.

The monastery is located at an altitude of 600 meters, near Lake Plastira, and is 20 km from Karditsa. It is open to visitors daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.