Meteora, in Greece, is sometimes called a holy city between Heaven and Earth. It is a place where human spirituality meets the power of nature. Meteora is included on the UNESCO Heritage List for its, six, well-known orthodox monasteries, built atop giant, pillar-shaped rocks. This makes Meteora the second largest monastic complex in Greece. Every year Meteora’s monasteries attract thousands of tourists. You can be an atheist, but this place certainly won’t leave you indifferent.
How to reach Meteora
The Monasteries of Meteora are located in central Greece, near the town of Kalabaka. It’s approximately 4 hours away from Athens and 3 hours from Thessaloniki. The most convenient way to reach Meteora is by rental car. This is what we did as well. Once we reached Kalabaka, we parked our car and set off to visit monasteries with one local agency that organized sunset tours in Meteora (we pre-booked this tour online). Of course, you can drive up the hill on your own and manage your time as you wish. After 4 hours of driving from Athens, we simply wanted to relax and turn on our sheep herd mode. Being walked around by an experienced guide, with a small group of fellow tourists, is not always a bad thing.
Short history of Meteora
Without going too much into technicalities, the rocks of Meteora formed due to erosion (power of nature!). These giant pillars rise to a height of more than 600 meters. That’s it about the rocks themselves. Now let’s move towards the monasteries.
Everything started in the 11th century with the first ascetics who came to this area and created so-called proseuchadia – small places to pray. These were set up inside the caves and guaranteed complete silence and tranquility, so these hermits could completely devote themselves to God. Not long after that, due to the presence of these ascetics and their solitary life, locals started to call Meteora a holy place.
However, the first monastic community (Skete of Doupiani) was formed in the 12th century and had its central church of Panagia, the Mother of God. Later on, in the 14th-15th centuries, hermits started to climb higher on the rock pillars with a help of ropes and stakes. Since then a total of 41 monasteries and hermitages were established in this area. Currently, there are only six remaining that still host monastic communities:
- Agios Stefanos Monastery (St Stephan)
- Agia Triada Monastery (Holy Trinity)
- Monastery of Rousanou or Agia Varvara (St Barbara)
- Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery (St Nicholas Anapfsas)
- Varlaam or Agioi Pantes Monastery (Barlaam or All Saints)
- Megalo Meteoro or Metamorphosis Monastery (Great Meteoro or Transfiguration)
The six Monasteries
- Agios Stefanos Monastery (St Stephan)
Location: southwest of Meteora at a height of 528 meters
Century: Origins of the monastery date to the 12th century
Founders: Antonios Kantakouzenos and St Philotheos
Some facts: During the period of the Turkish occupation, the monastic community joined in solidarity with local citizens and provided assistance (church school). They also offered help in the Greco-Turkish War (1897), the Macedonian Struggle of 1904-1908, and all national wars.
Currently there are 154 manuscripts and 800 early printed books in monastery’s collection.
During WWII, the St Stephan monastery was severely damaged. In 1961, it became a convent and nuns restored this place.
2. Agia Triada Monastery (Holy Trinity)
Location: northwest of St Stephan’s, on an distinctively shaped gigantic rock pillar (535 m)
Century: The oldest written reference about this monastery is from a 14th century document
Founder: Dometios the Monk
Some facts: During the period of the Turkish occupation, a school, and school of chant operated in this monastery.
During the Italian and German occupation, monks transferred monastery treasures to the monastery of St Stephan where they remain to this day. In total, 46 manuscripts survived.
3. Monastery of Rousanou or Agia Varvara (St Barbara)
Location: on a monolith with a height of 484 meters
Date: 1527-1529
Founders: Sts Joasaph and Maximos of Epirus
Some facts: Due to limited rock acreage, this monastery required vertical extension.
In 1565-1566 there was a scriptorium. This monastery has 40 manuscripts in its possession.
Since 1998, an active community of nuns resides in the monastery. They also contributed to its renovation and improvements.
4. Varlaam or Agioi Pantes Monastery (Barlaam or All Saints)
Location: on one of the largest and most abrupt rocks with a height of 551 meters
Century: 16th
Founders: brothers Theophanes and Nektarios
Some facts: For approximately 50 years (16th-17th centuries) a gold embroidery workshop operated in this monastery. It also housed a scriptorium.
Currently, there are 298 manuscripts in its collection.
During the Turkish occupation, the monks provided financial assistance to the Greek freedom fighters and strengthened patriotism.
5. Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery (St Nicholas Anapfsas)
Location: on a narrow rock of 419 meters at its peak
Century: 14th
Founders: St Dionysios the Merciful and St Nikanor
Some facts: There are 35 manuscripts from the 11th to the 19th century. The extensive renovation of this monastery took place in 2005.
6. Megalo Meteoro or Metamorphosis Monastery (Great Meteoro or Transfiguration)
Location: on the largest and highest (613 meters) rock of Platylithos
Century: 14th
Founder: St Athanasios of Meteora
Some facts: The church of the Transfiguration is one of the most magnificent churches in Greece. The entire church is decorated with frescoes dated from 1483. It’s a rare example of Palaiologan – Macedonian art in Thessaly. The collection of the manuscripts includes 668 codices.
Bonus stop: Delphi
On the way to Meteora (or back from it), it is possible to make a quick (or not so quick) stop at Delphi. Once upon a time, it was an important Greek religious sanctuary dedicated to the god Apollo. Also, this place housed the panhellenic Pythian Games. Delphi is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site as well.
We clearly underestimated the size of this archeological park. Its large size combined with midsummer Greek heat, continues climbing up to Mt. Parnassus, and lack of time overwhelmed us. Unfortunately, we didn’t reach the peak of the mountain so I’m pretty sure we missed some of the sightseeing. If you’ll decide to make a stop there, make sure you’ll have enough time to explore this ancient place. It’s worth it.
Meteora in a nutshell
If someone would ask me if it’s worth going to Meteora, I would answer „yes but…“. I would offer to divide this trip into two days. Especially if you would stop in Delphi on the way, or drive more in the surroundings. If you decide to be adventurous and drive all the way from Athens to Thessaloniki, Meteora will be on your way. Meteora is itself, a magical place full of serenity and silence.
