The Holy Monastery of Tsouka, Elliniko stands on the hill of the same name at an altitude of 760 metres, in the vicinity of Elliniko, Municipal Unit of Katsanochoria. The Monastery is dedicated to the Nativity of Virgin Mary and was probably built in 1190 by Byzantine emperor Isaac II Angelos. It was destroyed in 1736 and renovated in 1779. The Holy Monastery is named after the hill peak and was called Tsuka Analta, which means ‘high peak’ in ‘Vlachika’, the Aromanian language.

The monastery was surrounded by a fortress to be protected against thieves. The entrance through the high wall is decorated with stone reliefs; the cells are situated along the southwest and northern sides. An impressive inscription on the stone bell tower informs that it was built in 1866. The Katholikon, i.e., the monastery church, was built at the end of the 17th century in the Athonite style. Inside there is an inscription indicating that the church iconography was sponsored by the founder (ktitor) Alexios Papaioannou and ‘gilded’ in 1779 by Ath. Ioannou, a priest from Kapesovo.  The only visible feature of the murals is the haloes above the figures. The wooden iconostasis of the church (18th century) is wonderful with an exceptional plant-motif decoration and dates to the 18th century. Behind the monastery, visitors and pilgrims can enjoy the view of the Arachthos river valley, a location of exceptional natural beauty.

The festival of the Holy Monastery of Tsouka, the major pilgrimage destination in Ioannina prefecture, is held on 8 September. Important dates to attend church mass are all Virgin Mary’s feast days.

Visitors are admitted to the Holy Monastery of Tsouka from 8 in the morning till sunset. The contact number for information about masses held at the Monastery is +30-26510-89223.