Vlatadon Monastery — Attraction in Municipality of Thessaloniki

Vlatadon Monastery, also known as the Monastery of Vlatades, is a significant historical and religious site located in Thessaloniki, Greece. It was founded in the 14th century by the monks Dorotheos and Markos Vlatis, who were disciples of Saint Gregory Palamas, a prominent theologian and archbishop of Thessaloniki. Key features and historical points about Vlatadon Monastery. The monastery is situated on the upper part of the city, offering panoramic views of Thessaloniki. Its architecture is a blend of Byzantine and later styles, featuring a notable katholikon (main church) with beautiful frescoes and mosaics. Vlatadon Monastery has been an important center for Orthodox Christianity and monastic life in the region. It played a crucial role during the Byzantine period and continued to be influential under Ottoman rule. The monastery is part of the Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessaloniki, which were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. The monastery houses a valuable collection of manuscripts, books, and religious artifacts. Its library is an important resource for scholars studying Byzantine and Orthodox Christian history. The monastery has a wonderful terrace with a fantastic view of Thessaloniki and the harbor. Benches have been placed in the courtyard of the monastery, so you can enjoy the view and atmosphere of the monastery. Within the monastery there is also a shop with candles, religious items...

This small monastery is simply breath-taking. Built on the site where St Paul is believed to have preached to the Thessalonians, it was founded in the mid-14th century and has been in continuous use since then. The small chapel looks quite uninteresting from the outside. However, inside it is purely stunning, with lavish decoration in blues, greens and golds and lots of remarkable icons. It is just wonderful. In a separate building, you will find a stunning collection of iconography, some from the monastery itself and others from Italy, Germany and elsewhere. Entry to the monastery is free and there is a good souvenir shop on site. As a bonus, there are also great views of the city way down below. Having spent time taking in the beauty of this, do try to make time to visit the nearby Church of Hosios David. It's about 5 minutes walk down the hill - you will pass another very small religious site on the way... St David's is just beyond it. It is a tiny church dating back to the 5th century. In the apse you will see what is believed to be the only existing mosaic of Christ that shows him without a beard. Despite the small interior, there are many other amazing mosaics & icons... all stunning. You can get directions to St David's from the souvenir shop in...

Vlatadon Monastery is a beautiful and historic monastery located in Thessaloniki, Greece. It was founded in the 14th century and is one of the oldest monasteries in the country. The monastery is located on a hilltop, which offers STUNNING views of the city.

The monastery is a peaceful and quiet place to visit. The gardens are small but well-maintained and include a selection of bird cages, including peacocks and pheasants.

The monastery is also home to a number of Byzantine icons and frescoes, which are worth seeing.

We visited Vlatadon Monastery on a sunny Tuesday morning and were struck by the beauty of the setting. We were practically on our own for a long time while we visited. The views of the city were breathtaking. We spent some time walking around the gardens and visited the monastery church. The church is small but beautifully decorated with impressive set of icons and frescoes.

It is a great place to relax and reflect, and it is also a fascinating historical site (and...