vlatodon monastery (vlatades)

The church in the middle is beautiful and on the right side corner of the apse is a place where St Paul preached and wrote his letters. A quiet place to relax after our long walk. Thessaloniki is a good walking city as landmarks connects from one end to the other. We enjoy navigating through narrow streets with stairwells.This is just one of the places where St Paul preached while in Thessaloniki. The place has an amazing view looking down.

The monastery is built on a rocky and steep terrain formatted properly. About high wall surrounding the monastery. The view from the "balcony", the opening is directly opposite the main entrance, is excellent. Visitors can have a panoramic view of Thessaloniki and Pieria mountains looks like Olympus, very clean, when weather permits.It is the only monastery that operates continuously until today. The Creation date is somewhere in the 14th century, but it can be defined precisely. But certainly before the fall of Constantinople, because there is evidence of partial destruction, after the fall of Constantinople

From here you have the most amazing view of Thessaloniki.Go by bus and then walk the way down through Ano Poli to see the grafik and modernhouses there. Its nice .

It is an old beautiful monestry, the old church with its old wall paintings, shows the Arst and the history at the same time.you have to visit it.

This is an ancient place. I could only get access to the church. It is worth a visit.Not many mosaics remain inside which is a terribly shame. I was very impressed withthe peacocks outide. I should say that there would be more than 20! Such beautifulcreatures! I found getting to this place to be confusing. Make sure you know what itis on the map before you leave.

A lovely quiet place to visit and maybe just sit and contemplate.Inside is lovely and just right after the hustle of the city.Well worth a visit.

This huge monastery was built in the 8th century.There is a very nice churcu in the middle and all around there are peacocks,garden,some interesting ruins and graves,library,school for orfans and museums.You can get a view of the whole Thessaloniki city if you go to that monaster's balcony

this church has a traditional yard with nature,is a small one, and so tratidional.the best part is its view of the town.do not miss a visit.

Very beautiful church, with a few light and candles. The view is maybe the most beautiful view of the city!!!

If you want a break from the city centre, a visit to the city's old town is worthwhile. And when you are there, make sure you go to Vlatadon Monastery and read about the religious history of the site, while enjoying some magnificent views of the city. The quiet and peaceful atmosphere along with the friendly and polite monks will give you a different perception of the city and its history.

The Monastery, the church and the view are all great. One of the best sights of the city situated in the old part of it called Ano Poli

Went to the Monastery expecting a museum like it says there is on the front enterence, but nothing was open. Church was locked tight and what looks like it might have been a museum looked pretty empty and not overly used. I was there on a Wednesday around 13:00 (1PM).The grounds do offer a few locations for a good picture. Plus if you have kids they might like to see the peacocks.If you are in the area to see the Byzantine Wall and have some time to kill this is a place you can do that at.

Quiteness, and excellent enviroment in the Upper city, providing excellent place to read a book, or rest. No water facilities available, dont forget this is a church and not a museum.

It's a very old and small monastery, in the upper part of the city of Thessaloniki, just by the big Door of the Walls of the city. It's the place that St Paul visited when he came to Thessaloniki to teach in the first centuries after Christ.

The Vlatadon Monastery is the only Byzantine monastery still functioning in Thessaloniki. The monastery was founded between 1351-1371 by Dorotheos Vlatis, a disciple of Grigorios Palamas, one of the city’s most spiritual figures. The monastery was also known as the Tsaous Monastir during the years of Turkish rule, a name that is still heard. The privileged position of the monastery at the point where the water conduit, bringing water down from Mt. Hortiatis, branched off down into the city, assured the monks favourable treatment from the Turkish officials. But the importance of the monastery and its wealth. The catholicon is a rare variation of the cruciform inscribed type, in which the dome is not supported on columns but on the walls of the chancel and on two pillars on the western side. This peculiarity was dictated by the existence of an earlier church on the same site, the remains of which were preserved in the 14th century church and shaped its construction. Restoration work in 1980-81 uncovered wall paintings dating from 1360-1380. The screen most probably dates from the 17th century, with repairs of the 19th century. The sacristy of the monastery contains a large collection of noteworthy icons, dating from the 12th to the 19th century.The monastery’s position, close to the byzantine walls and with a splendid view over the city, makes the place an ideal spot for relaxation and a starting point for short walks among the picturesque houses of the old city. Nearby points of interest: The Walls, the Church of Agios Nickolaos Orfanos, Church of Ossios David (Latomou Monastery), the tourbes (Mausoleum) of Mousa Baba, Tsinari area and many more. Worth visiting them all.