Subcategory Ecclesiastical Monuments

Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos of Kalamiou, Atsicholos, Gortynia

Description

The New Monastery of Kalamiou is situated on the banks of the Lousios River, south of the historic Monastery of Philosophos. According to local tradition, it was once a particularly flourishing monastic community, possessing considerable property and hosting a large brotherhood that numbered up to seventy monks. The katholikon is a cross-in-square church with a dome, displaying strong typological and architectural affinities with the katholikon of the New Monastery of Philosophos. Its interior is adorned with noteworthy wall paintings dated to 1713, which constitute a representative example of post-Byzantine religious art. During the Greek Revolution of 1821, the New Monastery of Kalamiou offered support to the fighters, as did many monasteries in Arcadia. In retaliation, it was set on fire in 1826 by the forces of Ibrahim Pasha. Despite the monks’ earnest efforts to rebuild it, the Monastery was unable to regain its former prosperity. Over time, the monastic community dwindled significantly, and the Monastery gradually fell into decline.