Moni Rousanou, Orthodox convent on a rock pinnacle in Meteora, Greece
Moni Rousanou is a monastery on a rock ridge in Meteora that occupies an entire rock platform. The three-story structure houses the Church of Transfiguration as well as several monk cells.
The rock was already called after Rousanos in the early 16th century, when the founders Ioasaph and Maximos rebuilt the ruined monastery. In 1545 they reconstructed the katholikon, dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Saviour and also honouring Saint Barbara. The monastery declined in the 19th century and became a dependency of Varlaam; it was restored in the 1980s and now functions as a convent.
The name Rousanou is of uncertain origin; the likeliest explanation is that it comes from the first inhabitant of the rock or the founder of the first church. The rock was already called after Rousanou in the early 16th century, when Ioasaph and Maximos rebuilt the ruined monastery. The katholikon is dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Saviour and also honours Saint Barbara.
A bridge built in 1930 allows access to the monastery from outside. Visitors should expect narrow pathways and steep stairs and should wear appropriate clothing.
The rock was already called after Rousanos in the early 16th century, when the founders Ioasaph and Maximos rebuilt the ruined monastery; the origin of the name itself is unknown, and the likeliest explanation is that it came from the rock's first inhabitant or the founder of the first church.
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