The Meteora Monasteires

The Meteora Monasteries

  The Meteora Monasteries (Greek: Μετέωρα, pronounced [mɛˈtɛoɾɐ], literally "middle of the sky", "suspended in the air" or "in the heavens above" — etymologically related to meteorology) - 
are formations of Orthodox monasteries near the Greek city Kalabaka, in west Thessaly.
 Monasteries are very famous for their unusual position on the rocks and they are considered the most valuable group of monasteries in Greece after the Mount Athos. The meteors are also on UNESCO's cultural heritage list.

Meteora Monasteries, Thessaly, Greece

 Monasteries

      There are six monasteries in Meteora formation:

•   The Monastery of Great Meteoron - This is the largest of the monasteries located at Meteora. It was built by a monk Athanasios in 1334. Located on the “Platis lithos” or “Wide Rock” 613m above sea level.

•   The Monastery of Varlaam - The second largest in the Meteora complex. Built in 1541.

•   The Monastery of Rousanou/St. Barbara - It was built in the middle of the 16th century and it is decorated 1541.

•   The Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas - It was built in the 16th century and decorated 1527.

•   The Monastery of St. Stephen - This monastery has a small church built in the 16th century and decorated in 1545. This monastery rests on the plain rather than on a cliff. It was shelled by the Nazis during World War II who believed it was harboring insurgents and was abandoned. The monastery was given over to nuns in 1961 and they have reconstructed it into a flourishing nunnery, with 28 nuns in residence in 2015.

•   The Monastery of the Holy Trinity - This monastery is located on the top of the cliff.
  It was built in 1475 and was remodeled in 1684, 1689, 1692, 1741.

  History of Meteoras 

    In the ninth century, a group of ascetics moved to ancient cliffs. They were the first people to settled Meteoras. They lived in the cracks and cavities of the rocks, at a height of even 1800m above the plain. At the beginning, they led a single life. At the beginning of the 11th century, it is believed that the ascetics were permanently living in the cracks of the cliffs.

Hard life of ascetics in cracks of Meteoras

     At the end of the 11th and the beginning of the 12th century, monks formed a state under the name '' Skete of Stagoi''. At the end of the 12th century, the asect community occupied Meteoras.

   1344. Athanasios Koinovitis from Mount Athos brought a group of followers to Meteora. At the end of 14th century, Meteors were represented an ideal protection of the frequent attacks by Turkish robbers, who wanted the dominance of fertile Thessaly.

 Tourist attraction

   
     Today, Monasteries of Meteora may be visited all year round, but the weather is wet and cool from December to March. Crowds and high season rates begin from from July 1st to October 15th. May and June are the best months for comfortable weather, low season rates and the opportunity to explore the area in peace.
     The ideal way to experience the beauty of Meteora is by walking! Walking is the only way to see some of the most impressive rock formations in the area just East of Kastraki. It's worth climbing to the rock of Aghio Pnevma (Holy Spirit), where a little whitewashed chapel has been cut into the rock.

The history of Meteora goes many millenniums back. Theories upon the creation of this natural phenomenon are associated to the geological movements that have occurred several geological periods ago. Scientists believe that these pillars were formated about 60 millions years ago, during the Tertiary Period. That time, the area was covered by sea but a series of earth movements caused the seabed to withdraw. The mountains left were continuously hit by strong winds and waves, which, in combination with extreme weather conditions, affected their shape. This is why the pillars are composed of sandstone and conglomerate. In the Byzantine times, monks had the inspiration to construct monasteries on top of these rocks so that they would be closer to god. The foundation of Meteora monasteries began around the 11th century. In the 12th century, the first ascetic state was officially formed and established a church to the Mother of God as their worshiping centre. Activities on this church were not only related to worshiping God, but hermits used these occasions to discuss their problems and exchange ideas relating their ascetic life there. In the 14th century, Saint Athanasios established the Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration of Jesus and named this huge rock Meteoro, which means hanged from nowhere. This monastery is also known as the Holy Monastery of the Great Meteoron, the largest of all monasteries. For many centuries, the monks used scaffolds for climbing the rocks and getting supplies. As years passed, this method was followed by the use of nets with hooks and rope ladders. Sometimes a basket was used, which was pulled up by the monks. Wooden ladders of 40 metres long were also one of the essential tools for accessing the monasteries. Between the 15th and 17th century, Meteora was at its prime with the arrival of many monks from other monasteries or people who wanted to lead an ascetic life in this divine environment. However, the prosperity of Meteora during that time started to fade away after the 17th century mainly due to the raids of thieves and conquerors. These caused many monasteries to be abandoned or destructed. Today, only 6 monasteries operate with a handful of monks each. The only nunnery (female monastery) is the Monastery of Agios Stefanos. Source: www.greeka.com

The history of Meteora goes many millenniums back. Theories upon the creation of this natural phenomenon are associated to the geological movements that have occurred several geological periods ago. Scientists believe that these pillars were formated about 60 millions years ago, during the Tertiary Period. That time, the area was covered by sea but a series of earth movements caused the seabed to withdraw. The mountains left were continuously hit by strong winds and waves, which, in combination with extreme weather conditions, affected their shape. This is why the pillars are composed of sandstone and conglomerate. In the Byzantine times, monks had the inspiration to construct monasteries on top of these rocks so that they would be closer to god. The foundation of Meteora monasteries began around the 11th century. In the 12th century, the first ascetic state was officially formed and established a church to the Mother of God as their worshiping centre. Activities on this church were not only related to worshiping God, but hermits used these occasions to discuss their problems and exchange ideas relating their ascetic life there. In the 14th century, Saint Athanasios established the Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration of Jesus and named this huge rock Meteoro, which means hanged from nowhere. This monastery is also known as the Holy Monastery of the Great Meteoron, the largest of all monasteries. For many centuries, the monks used scaffolds for climbing the rocks and getting supplies. As years passed, this method was followed by the use of nets with hooks and rope ladders. Sometimes a basket was used, which was pulled up by the monks. Wooden ladders of 40 metres long were also one of the essential tools for accessing the monasteries. Between the 15th and 17th century, Meteora was at its prime with the arrival of many monks from other monasteries or people who wanted to lead an ascetic life in this divine environment. However, the prosperity of Meteora during that time started to fade away after the 17th century mainly due to the raids of thieves and conquerors. These caused many monasteries to be abandoned or destructed. Today, only 6 monasteries operate with a handful of monks each. The only nunnery (female monastery) is the Monastery of Agios Stefanos. Source: www.greeka.com

The history of Meteora goes many millenniums back. Theories upon the creation of this natural phenomenon are associated to the geological movements that have occurred several geological periods ago. Scientists believe that these pillars were formated about 60 millions years ago, during the Tertiary Period. That time, the area was covered by sea but a series of earth movements caused the seabed to withdraw. The mountains left were continuously hit by strong winds and waves, which, in combination with extreme weather conditions, affected their shape. This is why the pillars are composed of sandstone and conglomerate. In the Byzantine times, monks had the inspiration to construct monasteries on top of these rocks so that they would be closer to god. The foundation of Meteora monasteries began around the 11th century. In the 12th century, the first ascetic state was officially formed and established a church to the Mother of God as their worshiping centre. Activities on this church were not only related to worshiping God, but hermits used these occasions to discuss their problems and exchange ideas relating their ascetic life there. In the 14th century, Saint Athanasios established the Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration of Jesus and named this huge rock Meteoro, which means hanged from nowhere. This monastery is also known as the Holy Monastery of the Great Meteoron, the largest of all monasteries. For many centuries, the monks used scaffolds for climbing the rocks and getting supplies. As years passed, this method was followed by the use of nets with hooks and rope ladders. Sometimes a basket was used, which was pulled up by the monks. Wooden ladders of 40 metres long were also one of the essential tools for accessing the monasteries. Between the 15th and 17th century, Meteora was at its prime with the arrival of many monks from other monasteries or people who wanted to lead an ascetic life in this divine environment. However, the prosperity of Meteora during that time started to fade away after the 17th century mainly due to the raids of thieves and conquerors. These caused many monasteries to be abandoned or destructed. Today, only 6 monasteries operate with a handful of monks each. The only nunnery (female monastery) is the Monastery of Agios Stefanos. Source: www.greeka.com