The monastery of Kalamios Atchiholos is dedicated to the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
It has been built above the banks of the Lousios river, on the western side of the gorge of the same name.
It is located at a distance of about 4 kilometers from the village of Atsicholos, in a wonderful and green location with a panoramic view of the gorge. It includes the old and the new Kalami Monastery. The old Monastery is built on a steep rock 100 meters northeast of the new one, just above the gorge of Lousios. According to various historians, it is a 15th century building.
The Catholic Church of the old Monastery is wedged into the rock, and was painted by the Cretan painter Petros Pediotis in 1705 at the expense of Athanasios Koulopoulos from Karytaina, during the reign of Hieromonk Paisios Malesis. The church also preserves older hagiographies as well as a rare two-story small chapel, called an enclave. Enkleisters were called caves or huts located in remote and deserted areas, shelters of ascetics who lived a strict ascetic life and were supported by alms in kind offered to them by passers-by.
The catholicon is surrounded by a protective wall according to the standards of the Philosopher's Monastery, as well as by the ruins of cells and other buildings.
The new Monastery is built further from where the old building is located, on a smoother place. The Catholic Church was built with the assistance and expenses of Athanasios Koulopoulos under Abbot Iosif Hieromonach Kountouris and under Patriarch Kyrillos of Kon/polis, in 1713. It is frescoed by Petros and Michael Pediotis. The cells of the new Monastery were until recently in a semi-ruined state, but today they have been renovated with the care and assistance of pious Christians. In the courtyard behind the catholicon there are ruined buildings, while part of the surrounding wall of the monastery has been renovated.
Road access to the monastery is available from the village of Atsilochos and from Ancient Gortyna (5 km) via a dirt road.
Source: UNIVERSITY OF PATRAS
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