The monastery is dedicated to the Nativity of the Theotokos.
Saint Paisios, one of Greece’s most revered modern saints, lived here in the mid-20th century.
The monastery was founded in 1594, though the current main church was rebuilt in 1774.
It is strategically positioned at the gateway of the Aoos Gorge, known locally as the 'Stomion' (the mouth).
The monastic complex includes a small cell where Saint Paisios practiced asceticism.
It remains a significant pilgrimage site for Orthodox Christians throughout Epirus.
The monastery serves as a critical stop for hikers traversing the Vikos-Aoos National Park.
Panagia Stomiou Monastery is a 17th-century Eastern Orthodox sanctuary located within the Vikos-Aoos National Park in the Pindus mountain range. The monastery is situated on a precipitous cliff overlooking the Aoos River gorge near Konitsa. Its current structure, completed in 1774, replaced an earlier building dating back to the mid-1500s. The site is notable for its historical connection to Saint Paisios the Athonite, who resided here as a monk between 1958 and 1962. The monastery houses frescoes depicting religious iconography and remains an active place of monastic life under the jurisdiction of the Metropolis of Dryinoupolis, Pogoniani and Konitsa. The site is accessible primarily by a hiking trail that follows the scenic Aoos riverbed.
The viewing point near the monastery entrance offering a panoramic shot of the Aoos Gorge and the surrounding Pindus peaks.
Wear sturdy, broken-in hiking boots, as the path from Konitsa involves steep inclines and rocky terrain.
Carry sufficient water, as there are no shops or facilities once you leave the town of Konitsa.
Plan for changing weather conditions, as the gorge creates its own microclimate in the Pindus mountains.
Do not attempt the hike in poor visibility or during heavy rain due to slippery, narrow mountain paths.
Modest dress is required: shoulders and knees must be covered for all visitors; photography inside the main chapel is generally prohibited.
