The word Meteora means literally 'hovering in the air' and of
course brings to mind the word meteor. What created this rare
geological phenomenon is one of the mysteries of nature and even
though there
are many theories, they remain theories and none have been
proven. But as amazing a marvel of nature as these giant rocks are
the buildings on the top of these are a marvel of man and seem just
as miraculous and make Meteora one of the most spectacular places to
visit in Greece.
The area of Meteora was originally settled by monks who lived in
caves within the rocks during the 11th Century. But as the times became more
unsure during an age of Turkish occupation, brigand
and lawlessness, they climbed higher and higher up the rock face
until they were living on the inaccessible peaks where they were
able to build by bringing material and people up with ladders and
baskets and build the first monasteries. This was also how the
monasteries were reached until the nineteen twenties and now there
are roads, pathways and steps to the top. There are still examples
of these baskets which are used for bringing up provisions
During the Turkish occupation it were the monasteries which kept
alive the Hellenic culture and traditions and were not only religious
centers but academic and artistic as well. It is believed that were
it not for the monasteries, the Hellenic culture would have disappeared
and modern Greece would be a reflection of the Ottoman empire with
little knowledge of its roots and history. The monasteries attracted
not only the deeply religious, but also the philosophers, poets, painters
and the deep thinkers of Greece. Today only six of the monasteries
are active.
Megalo Meteoro or Metamorphisis, the first church of the Transfiguration, is the best known of the Monasteries and is built upon the highest rock. It was founded by Athanasios the Meteorite, one of the most well-known figures in Orthodox monasticism. The work was begun before 1382 and later completed by the Monk Joasaph. Because the Serbian emperor Symeon Uros gave the monastery all his wealth and became a monk himself, it became the richest and most powerful monastery and contains some of the most beautiful wall paintings and post Byzantine mural art that can be found in Greece as well as a museum collection in the refectory. The catholicon has a twelve sided dome of 24 meters in height with a striking series of frescos created by Theophanis, depecting the persecution of Christians by the Romans in somewhat gruesome detail. The monastery is open from 9 to 1 and from 3 to 6. It is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Varlaam Monastery was founded in 1517 by Theophanis and Nektarios Apsaradas from Ioanina though the first to establish a monastery here was an ascetic anchorite named Varlaam. The monastery houses an important collection of relics, intricately carved wooden crosses, icons, embroidered epitaph and many other treasures. It also contains frescos by the well-known post Byzantine iconographer Frangos Katelanos. The monastery is open from 9.00 till 13.00 and from 15.30 till 18.00. It is closed on Fridays.
Roussanou Monastery was founded in 1545 by Joasaph and Maximos, two brothers from Epirus who built it on the ruins of an even older church. To get to this monastery you have to cross a small bridge from another peak. The church contains outstanding wall paintings, wood iconostasis, panel icons and icon stands. The monastery is open from 9.00 till 13.00 and from 15.30 till 18.00. It is closed on Wednesdays.
Agios Stefanos is the only convent in Meteora and has an unimpeded view of the plain towards Kalambaka. It is not known when the old church was built but the present catholicon dedicated to Saint Haralambos was built in 1798. The saint's skull which was given to the nuns as a gift from Prince Vladislav of Wallachia is kept here. The church of Saint Stefanos has a timber roof and wall paintings by the priest Ioannis from Stagoi painted in 1545. The monastery is open from 9.00 till 13.00 and from 15.00 till 17.00.
Agia Triada or Holy Trinity was founded by the monk Dometius in the 15th century and was the monastery used for the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only. It is decorated with wall paintings from the 18th century by the brothers Antonios and Nikolaos. To get to the monastery you walk up 140 steps cut into the rock, past the church of Saint John the Baptis with its wall paintings from 1682. The monastery is open from 9.00 till 13.00 every day except Thursday.
Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas was built in the 16th Century by Dionysious, the Metropolitan of Larissa and named after an old Patron. The catholicon is decorated in wall paintings by the renowned Cretan Iconographer Theophanis Bathas-Strelitzas. This monastery is open every day from 9.00 till 16.00.
There is a 2 Euro fee to enter each of the monasteries and proper attire is required. Women must wear skirts below the knees though in some monasteries these are provided for women in shorts or slacks. Men's arms must be covered and they must wear long pants. Monasteries are closed between 13.00 and 15.00 every day. The monasteries themselves, besides providing an incredible view are full of religious treasures, wall paintings, icons and libraries rich in old manuscripts. Most of them were built in the 16th century and then added to over the centuries.
Trekking and Culture: guided or not guided tour
Stays from 2 up to 4 days will allow you to discover the old footpath
used by the monks, and the unbelievable beauty of the monasteries.
We provide a full description of all the walking paths.
We propose our guests to stay in a small family pension in Kastraki, a small village before the west part of the Meteora. This place will you a better understanding of the religion's role in a Greek family. Lovely meals are served in their tavern.
We recommend to make this trip in combination with one of the following trips: Athens, Pilion, Epiyrus or Mount Olympus.