 Holy Meteora |
AfricaAntarcticaAsiaCentral America CaribbeanEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaOceaniaSouth AmericaOceans and Seas
Looking over the plains of Thessaly in the centre of Greece is an area of amazing rock formations, made yet still more impressive by the addition of monasteries perched on the top of some of the 400m columns of rock. Meteora so good Linkin Park named an album after it. Geologically the place was formed by the movement upwards of a ancient sea bed or river delta, then subsequent earth quakes and erosion. Though originally founded before the Ottoman empire reached the region, during the height of the occupation monks came to the remote monasteries to be able to practice their religion.
The impression on the traveller is amazement - "how did people back in the 1400's get to the top of these towers of rock to build these monasteries?" and awe - "wow - this is one of the most amazing places I've been!" and on the photographer in me - "I'm so glad I have two 1 GB memory cards!"
Most of the monasteries are open to the public, charge a nominal 2 euro entry fee, but require respectable dress, ladies, long skirts and gentlemen, long trousers. Inside a glimpse of monastery life is felt - particularly
Meteora Rocks
These rocks seperate the plain on which the towns of Kalambaka and Kastraki - old story of ancient sea bed squeezed up over millions of years, erroded over more time and shaped into these wonderful pi... [more]
Opening hours for the monasteries are 9-5, 6 days a week on a rotation, so whichever day you go along you'll be able to visit a few. We visited 2, the Grand Meteoron, and the Holy Trinity, the largest and the most isolated feeling. The Grand Meteoron was much the larger, had a muesum, chapel, courtyard, kitchens, and wood workshop to look around. Well I'll leave you with a few of my selected photos! I hope to work on a few for my gallery soon...
This was day 4 of our cheap rental car tour of Northern Greece - I'll add in the previous days soon!
Holy Monastery of Grand Meteoron
The largest of the monasteries on the highest and largest point. Founded in around 1340 by St. Athanasios of Meteora (1302-1380) - the monks have kept good records, it is possible to see the origanal ... [more]
Respectful Dress Required.
To visit the monasteries, there is a dress code, no halter tops (vests), no shorts. Men - long trousers, women - long skirts. Luckily the monasteries provide these rather fetching numbers in case you ... [more]
Skulls
Living on the top of a very high rock results in a few pracical problems. One being where to bury the dead. The solution is to store the skeletons of previous inhabitants in a cupboard.
Monk's Kitchen
Used up until recently, somewhere hidden away from the tourists is a nice new kitchen complete with microwaves and fridge freezers.
Another View of Monasteries on Rocks
It was such an amazing place, I hope these photos give a feel of how it was, beautiful and stunning.
Kalambaka
The town below the rock perching monasteries has grown to a population of 7,000 - mostly people involved in the hotel and tourist trade by the feel of it, must be a very crowded spot in the summer mon... [more]
How to get supplies to your rock monastery
The old way, a net, a long rope and a lot of effort. Nowadays they have mini-cable cars.
1 Comment - Add Public Comment or Send Private Message
Add Comment
All Comments
November 18th 2005 - boki: amazing place
I've been there and would recommend it to everybody. Unbelieveable place.
All Comments
Greece's Flag
Map of Greece
Copyright notice.
The text and photos of article remain the copyright of the Author (Alistair Watters). Under no circumstances should the photos or text be used without the express written permission of the Author (Alistair Watters). If you wish to use or publish photos or text from this article - please
Contact Alistair Watters.