Meteora is, after Mount Athos, the largest and with a continuous presence of monastic territory since the establishment of the first ascetics in Greece. The historical evidence suggests that in the past, the monasteries of Meteora were thirty in total. Out of these thirty, only six are in operation today and receive many visitors throughout the year. Most of them were founded in the 14th century.
Meteora is newer and not mentioned by the ancient writers. The name derives from Saint Athanasios the Meteorite, founder of the Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Saviour (Great Meteor), who gave this name to the “wide stone” he climbed for the first time in 1344.
According to the prevailing view, the first anchorites settled in the 12th century. In the mid-14th century, the monk Nilus gathered the monks who lived isolated in caves of the rocks around the hermitage of Doupiani organizing this way the monasticism in Meteora.
One of Meteora's 30 monasteries. Source: Supplied
The Monasteries of Meteora are among the UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites because they are a unique, harmonious matching of Byzantine architecture and natural beauty. The buildings of the monasteries seem like a continuation of the rocks, like natural endings. Furthermore, they include a priceless artistic and relic treasure.
Meteora Rocks are located in the prefecture of Trikala (just 20 km from the city of Trikala), above the town of Kalambaka.
Magical sunset in Meteora. Source: Supplied
