1691 Ottoman period Buildings Major moment

The New Philosophou Monastery

The newer katholikon of Philosophou Monastery is founded in 1691 and decorated in 1693.

Timeline image: The New Philosophou Monastery

Why it matters

It shows the continuity of the Philosofou tradition from the rock-cut monastery to a later organized monastic complex.

The New Philosofou Monastery was founded near the older rock-cut monastery in 1691, while its katholikon was decorated with frescoes in 1693. Its creation belongs to a dense monastic geography of the Lousios, together with Prodromos, Aimyalon and other sacred sites of the gorge.

The newer complex continued the memory of the Old Monastery while giving the brotherhood a more functional built environment, connected with worship, learning and the management of monastic property.