Kefalonia Monastery of Themata

Location: Agia Efimia

Located on the slopes of Agia Dinati Mountain, the Monastery of Themata is one of the oldest sights of Kefalonia, dating back to 1096. However, after the catastrophic earthquake of 1953, it had to be reconstructed. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and there are many assumptions about how it got its name.

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Some people believe that there was an old settlement named Themata in the region, while others believe that this monastery was the seat of a bishop in the Byzantine times when Kefalonia was a thema (Byzantine administrative unit). Another theory claims that, as themata can mean problems in Greek, locals that dealt with any type of problem would go and pray in front of the icon of Panagia to find a solution.

The monastery is located about 9 km from Agia Efimia, high in the mountains, surrounded by a large pine forest. It is one of the best trekking paths along the mountain of Agia Dinati, offering an amazing view of the east shores of Kefalonia and Ithaca. The Monastery of Themata celebrates twice a year, on August 15th and the first Tuesday after Easter. Moreover, during that Tuesday, a large celebration with a litany of the holy icon of Panagia, dancing of local groups, and a traditional feast in the pine forest take place.

How to get there

The Monastery of Themata is located in Agia Efimia Village.

Private transfers: We recommend using an online pre-booked Kefalonia transfer service, which provides transfer by taxi, minibus, or private VIP car and arranging a pickup directly from the airport, port, or your hotel. Alternatively, there's the option of arranging a pickup by a local driver directly at the following numbers: 0030 694 511 8866, 0030 694 530 6145, 0030 699 561 9605, or booking your taxi online.

Car rental: There's the option of renting a car in Kefalonia and picking it up directly from the airport, port, or your hotel. Using a rental car allows visitors to discover the Monastery of Themata and many other places of interest in Kefalonia at their own pace.

Public transport: The central bus station of the island is located in Argostoli. There are buses from Argostoli to Agia Efimia during the day. Consider that time schedules might change according to the season. Check the official timetables here.
Tip: Since buses don't always stop at every scheduled stop of their itinerary, our advice to visitors is to inform the driver about their final destination, so that he makes a stop there.