I have some list. This list contains some places int the world. Places I am dying to see. This is something like a bucket list for me. My biggest dreams. One of them was, since I can remember, to see the magical Monasteries of Meteora.
That is why, while we were in Athens, I felt this super strong craving. I just needed to see them. We were so close. Well comparing to the distance from Poland, coz it was still over 300 km from Greece capital city. We caught the train at 8:20 am to Kalambaka and arrived at 13:40. Over 5 hours one way and a little bit longer while return (due to some delay). So almost 11 hours in a train to have 3 hours tour. It was a bit too expensive also as for our low budget before whole month in Asia, but still so worth it. The place is incredible. You need to see it and feel this magic for yourself.
Few kilometers northwest of the town Kalambaka, the impressive rocks of Meteora (Μετέωρα) are rising from the plains of Thessaly. Many centuries ago, on these gigantic rocks with the breathtaking landscape, reaching heights of more than 600 meters, one of the largest, most inspiring and precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries was formed, second in importance only to Mount Athos.
The Greek word Meteora means “suspended in the air” and this phrase couldn’t better describes these remarkable phenomenon.
Meteora is a mystical place where you can experience a spectacular landscape and serene byzantine monasteries perched on top of steep rocks, that dominate the local area. It is house to many priceless artifacts and wall paintings. Today only six monasteries are active with a small number of monks or nuns.
“The first monks of Meteora arrived back in the 14th century establishing an entire monastic community on top giant cliffs. They chose to do this not because it was easy but because it was hard, almost impossible. And they succeeded in this great achievement through their faith.”
From the early Christian times this stunning vertical cliffs were seen as the perfect place to achieve absolute isolation. This spiritual place seemed so perfect for those who wanted to discover peace and harmony and to support man’s eternal struggle for spiritual elevation.
The tour we’ve booked allow us to see all 6 monasteries and go into 2 of them. It was an unique experience of nature conduct with history, architecture and man’s everlasting desire to connect with divinity. The guide was very well educated and made this tour super informative but also funny. He showed us plenty of photo opportunity stops, even took some photos of us coz as you may not know, Greek people are the best at everything :).
Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron
The Great Meteoron or the Holy Monastery of the Metamorfossis (Transfiguration of Christ), is the first mastery we’ve visited. This male monastery is the oldest and largest of all the monasteries of Meteora. Built on the greatest rock of the complex, the Platys Lithost, was founded little before the mid-14th century (around 1340) by a scholar monk of Mount Athos, Saint Athanasios Meteorites.
The monastery has a pleasant courtyard and there are many amazing frescoes to see. It has also platforms with extraordinary view. To get inside the monastery, all women need to wear some long skirts. You can borrow it for free at the entrance. It is some kind of tradition of the place.
Holy Monastery of St. Stephen
The second one we could get into. You will also need to borrow skirt here. The 14th century St. Stephen monastery is the closest to the main town of Kalambaka, so the easiest to visit. Founded by St. Antoninus Cantacuzene in 1400. Much of the monastery was destroyed during World War Two and the Greek civil war that followed. The monastery is run by Nuns now.
Holy Monastery of Varlaam
The Varlaam Monastery named after the first monk who built the first church on the rock. In 1350 Varlaan built three churches, a room for himself and a water tank. No-one joined him there so after his death the site was abandoned for 200 years. In 1517 two monks from Ioannina re-founded the monastery. Nowadays the monastery is reachable by a bridge and has a small museum with a lot of impressive 16th century paintings.
Holy Monastery of Holy Trinity
This one was used in the James Bond movie ‘For your eyes only’, with Roger Moore. Holy Trinity has the most dramatic location out of all monasteries.
Two other monasteries left are:
Holy Monastery of Rousanou
Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapafsas
Meteora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List and the Meteora-Antichassia area is part of the Natura 2000 network hosting some rare species of birds and flowers.
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