Kato Panagia Monastery (Arta)
Below the Peranthi hill, by the Arachthos river, Arta (50 km / about 1 hour from Preveza)
A 13th-century monastery of the Despotate of Epirus by the Arachthos river, just outside Arta: a richly decorated brick church with well-kept frescoes, still home to a community of nuns. 1 hour from Preveza.
About Kato Panagia Monastery (Arta)
The Monastery of the Nativity of the Virgin, known as Kato Panagia, stands at the foot of the Peranthi hill beside the Arachthos river, just west of Arta and about 50 km (1 hour) from Preveza. It was founded around 1250 by Michael II Doukas, Despot of Epirus, and his wife Theodora, later a saint, when the Despotate was at its height. The name, "Lower Panagia", sets it apart from the Parigoritissa church higher up in the town.
Tradition says Michael built it, with two other monasteries, as an act of penance for his infidelity. Only the main church survives from the first buildings: a cross-roofed church with fine decorative brickwork and blocks of marble taken from the ruins of ancient Ambracia. The monogram of Michael Doukas can be seen on its west wall. The frescoes date from several periods, the oldest from the time it was built; all have been conserved, and some are by the post-Byzantine painter Alexios of Arta.
Since 1953 it has been a convent. Under its first abbess the nuns ran a boarding school for girls and wove carpets on looms, and the monastery came back to life. Today about a dozen nuns live and farm here.
Good to know
- It is a working convent: dress modestly and keep quiet around the buildings.
- Combine it with Arta, a few minutes away: the old stone bridge and the Parigoritissa.
Help keep it unspoiled: take your rubbish with you, never light fires outdoors in summer, and respect wildlife and local life. How to travel responsibly
Frequently asked questions
Who founded the Kato Panagia Monastery?
Michael II Doukas, Despot of Epirus, and his wife Saint Theodora, around 1250.
Is Kato Panagia still a monastery?
Yes. It has been a convent since 1953, and about a dozen nuns live and farm there. Dress modestly and respect their daily life.
How far is Kato Panagia from Preveza?
About 50 km, roughly 1 hour by car. It is just west of Arta town, by the Arachthos river.
Last updated 21 October 2026. Information checked against el.wikipedia.org. Spotted something out of date? Use “Suggest a place” in the footer.
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