Panagoulia-Koutsoukou Adamantia " The Paliomonastiro of Valtesiniko - History "

INTRODUCTION

According to a tradition, the "Paliomonastiro" (Old Monastery) of Valtesiniko was rebuilt over the ruins of the old monastery after Kallinikos, a prominent monk from said village, had a vision during his stay in Mount Athos. Paliomonastiro was built in a steep and inaccessible rock. The exact date of its construction remains unknown. It is estimated that it operated as an ivory tower or a hermitage round the 9th century, while the foundation of the Holy Monastery of Saint Nicolas and of the Ascention of Christ took place in the 17th century.

Both churches have hagiographies from the byzantine years and the years of the Turkish occupation respectively. Part of the building is still saved today. The monastery is situated approximately two (2) Kilometers north of the village. According to the tradition, what Saint-Nicolas told the monk in that vision came true:

In August 1826, the monastery proved to be built by a Saint and guarded by God, given the brave and victorious resistance of the fighters and of the people who sought refuge in it against Ibrahim's rage. It was a "Noah's Arc'' that saved the women and children of Valtesiniko, Vitina and the broader area. There were 2000 people hiding inside and outside the monastery. It is said that members of Peloponnesian potentate families were among them, such as the Deligiannis and Spilitopoulos families, from Lagadia and Dimitsana respectively. There are two natural caves in the monastery's interior, each housing a small church: one dedicated to Saint-Nicolas and another one dedicated to the Ascension of Christ.

All visitors can admire the magical and mystic environment inside and outside the rock.

The Monastery is officially recognized as an ancient monument.

The entire area is full of evidence confirming not only history, but poet I. Polemis as well:

«Do not be afraid of the man

who based his hope on faith;

I saw him struggling in life,

but I always saw him INVINCIBLE»

P.S.: An effort is being made to preserve this Monastery, as well as the Holy Monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin and the frescos left in them. We appeal to the competent authorities to support this effort in deed.

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5/3/2005

Text: Panagoulia-Koutsoukou Adamantia

Translation: Maria Koutsoukou

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