Kathara Monastery
Kathara Monastery
4.5
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4.5
155 reviews
Excellent
90
Very good
46
Average
16
Poor
2
Terrible
1
PavlosMtl
Montreal, Canada62 contributions
Sept 2022
If you are touring Ithaki you must make your way up to the Kathara Monastery - as we drove up the mountain side we were literally within the clouds. We visited end of September and so was very quiet (only another couple arrived as we left) so we had time to walk around the premises and stay for well over an hour, just taking in the peaceful, serene atmosphere. All we could here were the bells on some of the goats that were wandering around. The church itself is simple and yet very special with fabulous finishings of bright red and gold.
As it looks out over the whole island from a height of 556 meters on the south-eastern side of the Homeric mountain of Niritos, your onward drive will be just as fabulous with the most incredible views.
As it looks out over the whole island from a height of 556 meters on the south-eastern side of the Homeric mountain of Niritos, your onward drive will be just as fabulous with the most incredible views.
Written 2 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dreambig
Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK218 contributions
July 2024 • Couples
An incredible drive up a small mountain to the top to the monastery. The views are breathtaking with a couple of places to stop on the way. To see Vathy & the bays & other islands from up there was amazing
At the top there is a separate bell tower with precarious steps but the bells are beautiful.
Inside the monastery chapel it is heavily decorated with stained glass, carvings, and ornate brassware. A treasure of a small building at the very top.
At the top there is a separate bell tower with precarious steps but the bells are beautiful.
Inside the monastery chapel it is heavily decorated with stained glass, carvings, and ornate brassware. A treasure of a small building at the very top.
Written 10 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MonoManos
Χαλανδρι4 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
Im not a religious person but i would recommend this place for everyone. The monastery is a nice old building with some interesting art. But the real reason to drive up to the mountain is the view of the southern part of the island. It is stunning and unique. 5 minutes down the road is the mountain village of Anogi with a lovely cafe in the tiny center and one more icons filled church if that is your thing.
Written 4 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Al Mak
Ithaca, Greece57 contributions
July 2019
Small but well run place of interest, all donations are reinvested in the ongoing maintenance- last visited 2 yrs ago.
Stunning views from both the tower and nearby of bay of Vathi - well worth the drive.
Stunning views from both the tower and nearby of bay of Vathi - well worth the drive.
Written 16 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
richardsowerby
Bristol, United Kingdom22 contributions
June 2019 • Couples
The monastery has a very tranquil atmosphere. We visited just after a coach had left so it was very quiet. The church is impressive for its stained glass and gold ornaments and is still used for special services. The views from beside the bell tower are wonderful looking down across the bay to Varthy.
Written 25 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rhod J
London, UK313 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Ignore the nonsense about selfie opportunities from one particular reviewer - this is simply a "must do" destination.
The monastery is the religious centre of the island. It's in a remote location, the highest point on the island. It's a hairy journey to get here (see my seperate review about the church in Anogi), but well worth it. The resident Monk is sadly no longer with us but the venue is still open to the public.
It is wonderfully ornate and I would defy anyone not to be intruged by this place. Check out for example to incense container donated by the Greek Navy.
The added bonus is the views out over Ithica and beyond. The view down to Vathi is simply stunning. A word of warning to the unprepared is to take some layers. We were here on an evening trip and being as high and exposed as this location is, it was freezing! For those who want an even better view, you can climb the bell tower.
A must do location if your travels take you to Ithica. If you are based in Fiscardo as we were, see if you can sign up for the evening trip over the water as I explain in my Anogi church review.
The monastery is the religious centre of the island. It's in a remote location, the highest point on the island. It's a hairy journey to get here (see my seperate review about the church in Anogi), but well worth it. The resident Monk is sadly no longer with us but the venue is still open to the public.
It is wonderfully ornate and I would defy anyone not to be intruged by this place. Check out for example to incense container donated by the Greek Navy.
The added bonus is the views out over Ithica and beyond. The view down to Vathi is simply stunning. A word of warning to the unprepared is to take some layers. We were here on an evening trip and being as high and exposed as this location is, it was freezing! For those who want an even better view, you can climb the bell tower.
A must do location if your travels take you to Ithica. If you are based in Fiscardo as we were, see if you can sign up for the evening trip over the water as I explain in my Anogi church review.
Written 25 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aernout Z
Canton of Vaud, Switzerland67 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
Very interesting place to visit - it combines great views over the island with a hint of history, spirituality and genuine local flavour. The journey here by itself is worth every effort as you meander through the island upwards, passed goats and villages.
It is places like this monastery that make Ithaca such a fantastic location - far away from the beaten track: serene and original.
It is places like this monastery that make Ithaca such a fantastic location - far away from the beaten track: serene and original.
Written 13 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mettraveller
Wallingford, UK72 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
We were persuaded up here by another couple on a gloomy afternoon. It's quite a drive, the road can be a little challenging and for us it looked as if cloud may descend and make the return a bit perilous.
No matter. It is in an awesome and commanding position and the views are spectacular, even on a day like ours. The chapel? is beautiful and ornate and well worth seeing for its own sake.
Although very blustery we climbed the bell tower to complete the visit. Our return took us through a series of hairpins, the like of which I've not encountered but was nonetheless a fun drive away.
No matter. It is in an awesome and commanding position and the views are spectacular, even on a day like ours. The chapel? is beautiful and ornate and well worth seeing for its own sake.
Although very blustery we climbed the bell tower to complete the visit. Our return took us through a series of hairpins, the like of which I've not encountered but was nonetheless a fun drive away.
Written 12 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
traveller258286
Hangzhou, China21 contributions
July 2016 • Couples
Set at the top of the mountains this stunning monastery is stepped in history . The grounds and building itself are not huge , but the historical signifance of the artefacts are worth the winding uphill journey . The views over the southern half of Ithaca are amazing as is the main church itself . If your driving from the south , it's worth continuing your journey North and visiting the church in Stavros which has equal beauty . Local restaurants are abundant in stavros or nearby frikes
Written 12 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline W
London, UK38 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
The monastery was open to the public and we were free to visit the Church and enjoy the gardens. Outside it is possible to climb partway up the bell tower and enjoy perhaps one of the best views on the island, overlooking the Ionian sea and across to Kephalonia .
Written 1 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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