Holy Monastery of the Archangels (Pammegiston Taxiarchon) in Taxiarchis
The village of Taxiarchis reveals a remarkable monastic complex that resembles a fortress more than a monastery — and it is definitely worth a visit. The Holy Monastery of the Archangels (Pammegistoi Taxiarchai), rebuilt between 1813 and 1833 —likely upon the foundations of an earlier monastery— remains intact to a great part. Its rectangular enclosure has a distinctly defensive character. On the northern and southern sides stand the two-storey cell buildings, which include the guesthouse, kitchen and auxiliary spaces. Passing through the main western gate, you will enter a stone-paved courtyard with a well and a bell tower erected in 1897. The katholikon follows the Athonite architectural style, with distinct levels separating the narthex, nave and sanctuary. In the narthex, chains once used for the “therapeutic incubation” of individuals suffering from mental illness are still preserved — evidence of a lesser-known purpose that the monastery used to serve, beyond its religious function. The wall paintings, completed in 1848 by painters from Agios Georgios in Grevena, adorn the interior. It is also believed that the monastery housed a library, which once contained a copy of the Suda lexicon until the mid-20th century.
