Meteora (Greek: Μετέωρα, Metéora) is one of the gems of Greece. Near the town of Kalambaka (Καλαμπάκα, Kalabáka) (Population: 21,991 (2011)) in northwestern Thessaly, it consists of a number of rock pinnacles topped with a total of 24 monasteries, 6 of which are still in use and open to visitors, while the others are abandoned.
Emerging about 25 million years ago as the elevated seabed material that was the outcome of strong tectonic movements, the Meteora rocks became a shelter of humankind. The first hermits arrived in this area to seek spiritual isolation and inhabited the caves of the rocks, with the sole aid of ropes and ladders.
Common existential needs and strong religious faith compelled them to live united in the first monastic communities, their common drive of faith guiding them towards the unrepeated construction of monasteries of highest architectural and artistic value.
The 24 monasteries emerged on the countless summits of the rocks from the 14th until the 16th century, 6 of them remaining to be explored and admired by all. These monasteries became the centers of the Orthodox creed in the Byzantine era, having produced some of the best pieces of religious art and craft and still possessing a collection of precious manuscripts, which today are on display in their museums.
The Meteora monasteries have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and the Meteora-Antichassia region has been officially declared a Natura 2000 Ecological Zone by the Greek Ministry of Environment, for the protection of rare species of birds and flowers.
The mountain range to the east and north of the site experiences a wide climatic variation from baking heat in summer to severe cold in winter with heavy snowfalls. Summer is the driest time, storms occurring all year round especially at higher altitudes.
- Public Tourist Information Office, Patriarchou Dimitriou 1.
Public Tourist Information Office, Patriarchou Dimitriou 1.
The following monasteries can be visited and are located nearby the road circuiting Meteora. Clockwise you'll find:
- St. Nikolaos Anapafsas. Summer timetable: 09:30-15:30, closed on Fridays. The Holy Monastery of Saint Nikolas of Anapafsas is the first Monastery you will encounter on your way to the Meteora and was founded at the end of the 14th century. The monastery is a 1-km walk from Kastraki village. .
- St. Barbara of Roussanou. Summer: Th-Tu 09:00-17:00; winter: Th-Tu 09:00-14:00. The Holy Monastery of Roussanou has received the name of the first probable hermit who settled on the rock. The main cathedral, celebrating the memory of Santa Barbara, was founded at the end of the 16th century and was decorated 30 years later. .
- Varlaam. Summer: Sa-Th 09:00-16:00; winter timetable: 09:00 to 15:00. The Holy Monastery of Varlaam is the second biggest monastery. It is opposite the Great Meteoro Monastery and it was founded in the mid-14th century by the exercitant Hosios Varlaam. €3.
- Great Meteoron. Summer: W-M 09:00-17:00; winter: 09:00 to 14:00. The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoro (Transfiguration of Jesus) is the biggest and oldest one of all, dating back to the 14th century. It was called the monastery that was "suspended in the air" (meteoro), because of the formation of the gigantic rock on top of which it was built. .
- Holy Trinity. Summer: F-W 09:00-17:00; winter: F-W 09:00-16:00, closed on Thursdays.. The Monastery of Holy Trinity (Agia Triada) is the most difficult to reach, but once you get to the very top, the panoramic view of the surroundings is simply captivating! .
- St. Stephen. Summer: Tu-Su 09:30-13:30 and 15:30-17:30; winter: 09:30-13:00 and 15:00-17:00. This is the most accessible monastery, where instead of steps you simply cross a small bridge to reach the entrance. It is ideal for visitors who cannot use the steps and yet they wish to have a real experience of a Meteora monastery. .
Inexpensive, mass produced icons may be purchased in the monasteries for as little as .
In the high season, the monasteries can become incredibly crowded with large groups virtually filling the chapels and other areas within the monasteries. If possible, visit early in the day! The monasteries were not built for tourism. Tourism, though essential to the monasteries' survival, has also destroyed their character. They are no longer contemplative.
St. Nikolaos Anapafsas. Summer timetable: 09:30-15:30, closed on Fridays. The Holy Monastery of Saint Nikolas of Anapafsas is the first Monastery you will encounter on your way to the Meteora and was founded at the end of the 14th century. The monastery is a 1-km walk from Kastraki village. .
St. Barbara of Roussanou. Summer: Th-Tu 09:00-17:00; winter: Th-Tu 09:00-14:00. The Holy Monastery of Roussanou has received the name of the first probable hermit who settled on the rock. The main cathedral, celebrating the memory of Santa Barbara, was founded at the end of the 16th century and was decorated 30 years later. .
Varlaam. Summer: Sa-Th 09:00-16:00; winter timetable: 09:00 to 15:00. The Holy Monastery of Varlaam is the second biggest monastery. It is opposite the Great Meteoro Monastery and it was founded in the mid-14th century by the exercitant Hosios Varlaam. €3.
Great Meteoron. Summer: W-M 09:00-17:00; winter: 09:00 to 14:00. The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoro (Transfiguration of Jesus) is the biggest and oldest one of all, dating back to the 14th century. It was called the monastery that was "suspended in the air" (meteoro), because of the formation of the gigantic rock on top of which it was built. .
Holy Trinity. Summer: F-W 09:00-17:00; winter: F-W 09:00-16:00, closed on Thursdays.. The Monastery of Holy Trinity (Agia Triada) is the most difficult to reach, but once you get to the very top, the panoramic view of the surroundings is simply captivating! .
St. Stephen. Summer: Tu-Su 09:30-13:30 and 15:30-17:30; winter: 09:30-13:00 and 15:00-17:00. This is the most accessible monastery, where instead of steps you simply cross a small bridge to reach the entrance. It is ideal for visitors who cannot use the steps and yet they wish to have a real experience of a Meteora monastery. .
- Walk along the paths leading to the rocks and monasteries.
- Climb the rocks. There are more than 170 peaks and 600 bolted climbing routes in the area. You can buy the 2 guidebooks containing almost every route from the local bookstores. It is to be noted that there is no option for renting equipment so one should either bring his own or get a climbing guide.
- Drive the road connecting monasteries.
Walk along the paths leading to the rocks and monasteries.
Climb the rocks. There are more than 170 peaks and 600 bolted climbing routes in the area. You can buy the 2 guidebooks containing almost every route from the local bookstores. It is to be noted that there is no option for renting equipment so one should either bring his own or get a climbing guide.
Drive the road connecting monasteries.
Kastraki has a number of restaurants, but if you are looking for a light meal, the ouzeri on the main road slightly downhill (towards Kalambaka) was excellent and cheap. Live music when the owner's friends come along at night.
- Meteora Panorama is a good choice with open wifi and view to the mountains and the valley.
While visiting the monasteries, women are required to wear skirts covering the knees and have their shoulders covered, too. Most of the monasteries do provide wraps for women who come unprepared, but if you bring your own, especially one with bright colors, you'll get a smile from the monk or nun at the entrance.
Along the same line, men are required to wear trousers covering the knees. This too can be borrowed from the stock at the entrance but that clothing isn't washed after every user so you may not feel comfortable wearing these skirts. One size fits all for men!
- Thessaloniki, almost 3 hours by car