Rousanou Monastery is a Christian Orthodox monastery, located in Meteora. It is one of the six that continue to be active in Meteora, which since 1988 are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is not known why it was named Rousanou, with the most probable theory being that it took its name from the first inhabitant of the rock or the owner of the first temple. The rock was known as Rousanos rock since the beginning of the 16th century, when the owners Joasaph and Maximos settled, who rebuilt the then ruined monastery. In 1545 they rebuilt the katholikon, which is dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Savior and honors St. Barbara. The monastery declined in the 19th century and became the hermitage of Barlaam Monastery. It was restored in the 1980s and today functions as a nunnery.
The monastery occupies the entire plateau at the top of the rock where it is located. It has three floors, with the katholikon, the archontariki and cells on the ground floor, and cells and auxiliary spaces on the other floors. The katholikon is a cruciform Mount Athos type church with a simple (narthex with a dome) hagiographed in 1560. Access to the monastery is by stairs and two bridges, which were built in 1930 on the site of an older wooden bridge.
Dress code for monasteries
The monasteries have a strict dress code. Men should wear pants and blouses with sleeves, women should wear long skirts as well as clothes that fully cover the shoulders.
The singles, in case of negligence, can provide skirts for women as well as pants for men who wear shorts. However, since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, monasteries have not provided clothing for free for security reasons, so those who are not properly dressed will be required to purchase clothing upon entering the convent. Respect the dress code otherwise you risk not being allowed to enter the monasteries.
Summer schedule
Holy Monastery of Roussanou
9: 00-17: 00. Closed every Wednesday.
Winter schedule
Holy Monastery of Roussanou
9: 00-14: 00. Closed every Wednesday.
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