It was founded in the 14th century by St Athanasios the Meteorite, a monk from Mount Athos who brought a community of monks to this remote rock. Over the following centuries it grew into the leading monastery of Meteora.
The main church (katholikon) is decorated with 16th-century frescoes. Visitors can also see the old kitchen, a cellar with large wooden barrels, a museum of manuscripts and icons and a small ossuary. From the terraces, the views stretch across the valley to the other monasteries.
Access is by a few hundred steps cut into the rock and through a tunnel, and modest dress is required. It is the usual first stop on the road above Kastraki, next to Varlaam Monastery.
