GR PELOPONNESE ARCADIA DIMITSANA PRODROMOU

Moni Prodromou, definitely one of the finest of the many monasteries on the Peloponnese, sticks adventurously to a nearly perpendicular limestone wall, overhanging above, high above the Loussios river. It can be reached from the valley, coming from Gortys or Moni Philosophou, or from Stemnitsa, from where a 4 km path steeply leads down to the monastery.

Access is only allowed with decent clothing. But since most visitors in summertime come with shorts, a number of trousers and long dresses are available near the monastery's entrance.

Ten monks still live at Moni Prodromou, where visitors are welcomed after their strenuous walk with coffee and very sweet pastries. Apart from this, visitors have to inspect the place off their own bat. Highlight is a chapel built into the rock, and dated to 1167. The frescos in the chapel and in front of it are in ascetic orthodox style. They are assigned either to the Late Byzantine period (14th century) or to the Cretan School (16th century), but even the 19th century was proposed as the time of their origin.

From the monastery there are superb views down to the Loussios valley up to Moni Philosophou.