Monasteries of Meteora

The monasteries of Meteora crown 400-meter peaks in the mountains of Thessaly (Pindus mountain range). They resemble the nests of giant eagles on high sandstone cliffs hewn and polished by erosion. Religious life in this place began in the X or XI century: anachores (hermits) chose to live in caves at the foot of the cliffs. These monks managed to escape the oppression of Albanians, Turks and robbers and found refuge in these mountains.

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Highlights

The name Meteora comes from the word meteorizo, which means “floating in the air”. This is the most accurate description of the monasteries appearance. When in the early morning fog shrouds the mountainsides, the towering buildings seem to soar above the clouds. The heyday of Meteora’s monasteries was at the end of the Middle Ages – at that time there were 24 monasteries and sketes. Nowadays only 6 monasteries remain inhabited. Four of them are male: Great Meteora or Megalo Meteoro (Transfiguration), St. Varlaam, St. Nicholas Anapavsas and Holy Trinity. Two monasteries are women’s monasteries: St. Stephen’s and Rusanu Monastery (or St. Barbara Monastery). Although the other 18 monasteries lie in ruins, some are still inhabited by hermits who wish to preserve the cultural and spiritual heritage of Byzantium.

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View of the Thessalian plain

The very first hermitages in the mountains appeared in the 11th century. Hermits fled from the worldly bustle to pursue their service to the Lord without hindrance, and settled in simple mountain caves. As their numbers grew, the monks organized themselves into a monastic community similar to the spiritual republic on Mount Athos.

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Monastery of St. Nicholas of Anapavsas
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Great Meteoron, the largest complex, was so named by its founder Athanasius in honor of the massive stone pillars seemingly suspended in the air, which were named Meteora. Until 1923, when roads were built to the monasteries and 143 stone steps were made for climbing, monks and visitors could get to the monasteries only by a suspended ladder or with the help of monks who lifted them in special nets. In the same way, all the building materials for the construction of monastic buildings, as well as food and other things necessary for monastic life, were taken up to the top of the cliffs.

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With the exception of Agios Stephanos (St. Stephen), which is fairly easily accessible, the monasteries are reached by climbing steep stone staircases, sometimes numbering over a hundred steps. The monks are accustomed to visitors, but wishing to preserve the sacred character of these places, require an appropriate appearance. Men, women and children must have their arms covered, at least up to the elbows; pants are mandatory for men, long skirts for women.

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Monasteries of Meteora

Kalambaka

At the foot of the very cliffs where the monasteries of Meteora are built, the tallest of which reach 300 meters, is the town of Kalambaka. After the Second World War it underwent extensive rebuilding. It is worth visiting the city cathedral, the construction of which partly utilized materials from ancient buildings. You can see 16th century frescoes and an amazing marble pulpit – it is actually an ambo, dating back, like the canopy, to the early Christian era.

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Climb to the monastery of Great Meteor
View of the town of Kalambaka
Streets of the city

The village of Kastraki, two kilometers from the town, surrounded by vineyards, is also worthy of your attention.

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Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery

Behind Kastraki, on the left side of the road, is one of the smallest monasteries of Meteora. The equally tiny church is decorated with delightful early 16th century frescoes by Theophrastus of Crete, who also worked on Mount Athos. The Last Judgment, painted on the partition between the narthex and the choir, makes a lasting impression. From here you can walk to the monastery of Barlaam in about an hour and a half.

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Roofs of houses in Kalambaka
Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Anapafsashttps://trevaladvisor.com/img%img/Monastiri-Meteorireterte/10-Nikolaos Anapafsas.jpg” alt=””/>View of the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas

Roussanou Monastery (St. Barbara)

Also very small, this monastery (16th century) is perched on a narrow cliff, accessible by a suspension bridge. The location of the monastery is its highlight: the backdrop is an incredible ensemble of rocks carved by water, winds and temperature changes. It is perennially popular with mountaineering enthusiasts.

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Room inside the monastery
The Monastery of Rousanou (St. Barbara)
Rousanou Monastery against the background of the cliffs

Varlaam Monastery

A little beforehand, the road branches off. The left one leads to the 16th century Varlaam Monastery, built on a narrow platform on top of a cliff. After walking up all 130 steps and stepping over the threshold, you’ll find yourself in the sun-drenched churchyard. Inside, be sure to check out the painting depicting a saint grieving over the vanity of the world in front of the skeleton of Alexander the Great. The amazing fresco of the Last Judgment on the wall opposite the choirs deserves special attention. Visitors can also tour the basement and the press room and get a glimpse of the operation of the hoist.

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Monastery of Varlaam

Monastery of the Great Meteor

At the same altitude as Varlaam is the Great Meteor, also called the Monastery of the Transfiguration, founded by the very first in the mid-14th century on the highest rock. To reach it, you have to descend 106 steps, then climb 192…. Despite frequent destruction, Great Meteor has preserved priceless evidence of Byzantine art, in particular the embroidered vestments of the priests and the austere frescoes. The Church of Transfiguration is famous for its wooden iconostasis. Nearby you can see the old dining room, kitchen, many rooms where various classes were held and an ossuary with skulls of deceased monks. The balcony offers a delightful view of the Varlaam complex.

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The territory of the monastery
Great Meteor Monastery
In the courtyard of the monastery

Monastery of Agia Triada (Holy Trinity)

One of the most rarely visited and most secluded, the monastery of Agia Triada (Holy Trinity) is built on top of a huge rock that from afar seems to float in the air. Although part of it was built in the 15th century, it lacks unity due to the attached modern buildings.

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Ossuarium with skulls of deceased monks
Monastery of Agia Triada
The cabinka that shuttles between the monasteries

The monastery of Agios Stefanos (St. Stephen)

The last monastery you have to discover is also the most easily accessible thanks to the footbridge that connects it to the road. This place is famous for its view of Kalambaka and the Thessalian plain. The former dining hall has been turned into a museum, the most complete in Meteora, where icons, cult objects, painted manuscripts and embroideries are on display. The only church was built only in the 18th century.

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Agios Stefanos Monastery
Inside the church
On the grounds of the monastery of Agios Stefanos

Climbing monks

No one knows exactly how the first monks managed to climb the cliffs of Meteora. Incredible fairy tale stories make the imagination conjure up huge paper snakes, ropes tied to hawk’s feet, scaffolding construction, giant trees – anything with which the climb could have been accomplished…. It is possible that, long ago, shepherds and hunters had suggested to the monks ways known to them alone. Soon they began to use a rope ladder, which was later replaced by a net or some kind of basket, tied with a rope and lifted with a winch. It took about half an hour to reach the highest cliffs. If we are to believe the records of travelers of the old days, the rope was changed only after the old one broke! You can still see these structures, now powered by an electric hoist. Today, they are reserved for cargo and visitors prefer to climb on foot.

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Mesmerizing cliffs of the Meteora monasteries

Chronology

  • XI century: The first hermits settle in the mountain caves.
  • Ok. 1370: The monk Athanasius founded Megalos Meteoro.
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  • 1939-1945: Bombings during World War II cause heavy damage to the monasteries.
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  • Beginning 1972: Reconstruction of all functional monasteries continues.
  • 1988: The monasteries of Meteora are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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