MONASTERY PANAGIA MAVRIOTISSA . . . The monastery of Panagia Mavriotissa is an Orthodox monastery in the municipality of Kastoria in Western Macedonia. It is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The monastery is located on the eastern shore of the peninsula of Lake Kastoria, opposite Mavrovochori (Mavrovo), about 4 km from Kastoria. The monastery probably takes its name from Mavrovo. Originally, the monastery was probably built in the Middle Byzantine period. N. Moutsopoulos dated the remains of the first church of the monastery to the 12th century. The original church had the same dimensions as the present church. The present church consists of the nave and the lower narthex. It is covered with a gable roof. Later, a chapel was added to the south wall of the nave, dedicated to St. John the Theologian. Other preserved buildings of the church are the presbytery, some cells, the bell tower and the guest house.