Μονή Κηπίνας

Iera Moni Kipinas - Kipina Monastery

Useful Information

Location:	Kalarrites, 440 01 (39.5666372, 21.1284667)
Open:	All year daily 8:30-sunset. Warden with key at the next village. [2024]
Fee:	free, donations welcome. [2024]
Classification:	Cave Church
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Holy Monastery of Kipina, Kalarrites, 440 01, Tel: +30-26590-61186.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1212	the monk brother Gregorios started building the monastery and dedicated it to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
19th century	monastery deserted.
1931	becomes a dependency of the Monastery of Tsouka.

Description

Μονή Κηπίνας (Kipina Monastery) is a Greek Orthodox cave monastery located in the mountains southeast of Ioannina. It is also named the Holy Monastery of Kipina or Mother Mary of the Gardens. Founded in the 12th century, the monastery was most important during the 18th century when its monks were known for their social work. During the Ottoman period, the monastery was also used as a ‘secret’ school, which was quite common for monasteries all over Greece. The cave in the rock behind the buildings was used as a refuge by local residents.