The old Chapel of Doupiani

The first skete (hermitages) in the region of Meteora appeared on the low rock of Doupiani around the 9th century A.D. Later on, reasons of safety and security urged the first monks to abandon them and settle on higher rocks. In the late 12th century a small church called Panaghia Doupiani (Virgin Mary of Doupiani) was built on the foothills of this low rock.

It became the focal point in which all hermits would gather to attend the Sunday liturgy some 2 centuries before the idea of building the first monastery of Meteora. Some indicative dates as to when exactly the hermit monks arrive into the area are either the 9th or the 10th century. At the end of the 11th century and early 12th, a small ascetic community was already established around Meteora.