Holy Monastery of Agios Athanasios in Zikovitsa
A significant post-Byzantine monastery in the Kastanochoria region, offering panoramic views and well worth your attention, is the Holy Monastery of Agios Athanasios of Zikovista. It lies 24 km from Argos Orestiko, between the villages of Spilio, Agios Ilias, Damaskinia, and Kerasona, and as a monument it encapsulates centuries of history. It was founded in 1629, according to old Ottoman firmans, while it also accommodateda school from 1872 to 1885. During the Macedonian Struggle, it served as a refuge and base for Greek guerrilla forces, a role that ultimately led to its burning by komitadjis on 18 March 1905. Despite the destruction, the main church remained intact, allowing you to admire its richly painted frescoes. Since 2011, the monastery has come back to life with the establishment of a community of nuns, who continue its monastic tradition and operate workshops in icon painting and fresco art.
