Last Updated on 19 June 2026 by Vanessa
This family of cats lives 634 meters above sea level, at the Monastery of Ypsilou (also known as Moni Ipsilou), on the western side of the Greek island of Lesbos. Their home is in every tourist guide, and they enjoy impressive views of the inland, stretching from the petrified forest to the seaside town of Sigri. On a clear day, you might even spot the coast of Turkey.
Yet these cats live in their own peaceful world.
In this article, you’ll discover everything you need to plan your visit: how to get there, what to expect, opening hours, things to do nearby, and more. Whether you’re a history buff, a bird watcher, or just curious about the cats and legendary views, this guide will help you make the most of your day at the Monastery of Ypsilou.
Monastery of Ypsilou, Lesbos: history, main sights, and practical information
Why visit the monastery
The monastery sits on Mount Ordymnos, which is one of the island’s best viewpoints. It gives you wide views from the petrified forest all the way to the sea.
It’s an oasis of greenery compared to its arid surroundings, a tranquil corner of paradise where the cats can sleep in the sunshine and enjoy the quietness that is so typical of remote monasteries. (At least outside of the tourist season; the site livens up in July and August due to the influx of tourists.)
Bird watchers love it here because the hills attract eagles, falcons, and buzzards passing through on their migrations.
Also, you can easily fit a visit into a day trip itinerary. I’ll cover some nearby attractions you can combine with your visit below.
A short history of the Monastery of Ypsilou
The Monastery of Ypsilou is one of the oldest and highest on the island. Rumor has it a monk named Hosios Theophanis Singrianis founded it before 800 AD.
Back then, it was known under the names Korakos (a Greek toponym referring to “crow” or “raven”) or Zysyros (to indicate the presence of a monk from Syria).
The early centuries are murky and opinions differ regarding its construction and re-construction. However, it seems the monastery went through periods of abandonment and even destruction. Only fragments of the original construction have survived to this day.
What we do know is that earthquakes in 1890 and fires in 1875 and 1967 destroyed much of its buildings. The monastery also faced pirate raids and robberies.
After the restoration of the damage, the church of All Saints (which was built in 1695, according to a relief inscription) was converted into a single-aisled basilica from a three-aisled one with a wooden roof and an inner dome.
Today, the monastery still has a small community of only three monks (compared to 15 in the 17th century).
There’s also a small museum and library, which offers a glimpse into the site’s religious and cultural heritage. Here, you’ll find Byzantine icons, gold-embroidered vestments, silver chalices, processional crosses, rare manuscripts, and bound gospel books from various periods. These all cover the period from 1588 to 1825. The oldest exhibit of the museum is a tombstone from a neighboring Byzantine settlement.
You can ask the archondaris (monk on duty) to show you around and give you more information about each of these objects.
What does the name mean?
The name “Moni Ipsilou” was assigned to the monastery in the 18th century due to its location (“ypsilou” or “ipsilou” means “tall” in Greek).
It is also known as the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian, in honor of the saint to whom it is dedicated.
Must-see features
- Katholicon: The main monastic church.
- Cemetery Church of All Saints: Built in 1695, this church has valuable hagiographies (wall paintings) and is of significant historical and artistic interest.
- Library: Contains manuscript codices, scrolls, old books, letters, firmans (official decrees), wills, and legal documents dating roughly from 1535 to 1845.
- Monastic Museum: Houses a wide collection of religious and historical artifacts, including early Christian architectural elements, gold-embroidered vestments and reliquaries, portable icons and sacred utensils, and antimensia and liturgical items, spanning roughly from 1588 to 1825.
- Byzantine tombstone: One of the oldest objects in the collection. It bears engraved laurel wreaths and inscriptions and offers a glimpse into the region’s earlier history.
Cats of the Monastery of Ypsilou
It’s not uncommon for religious sites to provide shelter for stray cats. Monks and nuns typically value kindness, simplicity, and care for all living beings, so feeding and protecting stray animals fits naturally into their way of life.
On top of that, cats help keep rodents away, which is especially useful in places where books, relics, or food are stored.
You’ll see this in places like the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani on Mykonos, the Jumping Cat Monastery in Myanmar, the Meteora Monasteries of Greece, or the Arkadi Monastery in Crete. In these spaces, stray cats aren’t just tolerated; they are part of the community.
Related: 5 famous monasteries in Crete where cats outnumber monks.
The feline newborns of the Monastery of Ypsilou are probably amongst the luckiest of Lesbos since they live far away from any danger and have enough drinking water thanks to the fountain in the courtyard.
They would be even luckier if someone could give them a real home, though.
My boyfriend and I seriously considered adopting one or more of the kittens, except that they were still too young to transport them to another country or take them away from their mom.
We had already started giving them names: Ouzo, Mythos, Retisina… just like the Greek drinks.
Related: How to adopt a cat from Greece.
How to get to the Monastery of Ypsilou?
By car
If you want to visit the Monastery of Ypsilou yourself, you have to rent a car and drive up the steep and narrow road toward the top of the dormant volcano Ordymnos, on which the monastery is built.
Parking space near the monastery is limited but usually adequate outside peak summer times.
👉 Still need to rent a car? You can find the best and most affordable options through Discover Cars.
By public transport
Want to use public transport? Unfortunately, no buses or other public transportation options reach the monastery.
The nearest bus stop is Antissa. From there, you will need to take a taxi.
Arrange return transport in advance, because there are no taxis or other transportation options near the monastery.
Practical information
- Opening hours: From sunrise to sunset (the gate closes at nightfall)
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Telephone: +30 22530 56259
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Website: www.lesvosgeopark.gr/en/poi/holy-monastery-of-ypsilos
- Admission: Voluntary donation
🏨 Not sure where to stay? Check out these Hotels on Lesbos Island That Are Cat-Friendly.
Nearby attractions to add to your Lesbos itinerary
A visit to the Ypsilou Monastery can easily be combined with some of Lesbos island’s most unique natural and cultural attractions. Here are a few nearby spots to consider adding to your itinerary:
- Sigri: A charming coastal town with a small port, colorful houses, and local tavernas, perfect for a seaside lunch after exploring the monastery.
- Turtle Pond (Limni Skala): A quiet spot for spotting wildlife, especially sea turtles during nesting season.
- Petrified Forest Geopark: a protected area containing fossilized trees that are millions of years old, scattered across rugged terrain near Sigri. It is widely considered one of the island’s most distinctive natural landmarks.
- Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest: A modest museum that explains the science and history behind the petrified forest and the island’s unique geology.
Some other places I highly recommend on Lesbos Island are Molyvos, Moria, Petra, and Skala Sykaminia.
Final thoughts
Will you be visiting the Monastery of Ypsilou on Lesbos island? Would you consider adopting Ouzo and his brothers and sisters? Which Greek cat names would you pick for them?
Update
I went back to the Monastery of Ypsilou during my trip to Lesbos in May 2025. There were still a lot of cats, but not the same ones.
I asked the archondaris what happend to the previous kittens. He explained that most of them found their forever homes.
Apparently, many small villages on Lesbos don’t have resident priests or functioning churches. So, the monks from the Monastery of Ypsilou visit these villages to offer liturgies, baptisms, weddings, funerals, and other religious services. They began asking around to see if anyone was willing to adopt. It turns out, quite a few people were. The kittens now live in homes across the island—places where they’re wanted, needed, and cared for. Currently, only a few older cats remain at the monastery.
Here are a few recent photos…
Text and photos by Vanessa Morgan
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