Meteora

Giant granite outcrops, leviathans in stone, rise suddenly from the plain, crowned with gravity-defying Byzantine monasteries reaching into the blue heavens for their ultimate inspiration. Feelings come at you in rush as you approach this spectacle; a cascade of admiration, awe, ecstasy and humility. It’s a beacon for spiritual contemplation, reflection and personal atonement.

In 1340 St Athanasios initiated an organized monastic community by founding the Holy Monastery of Mega Meteoro. In the cellar, the commons and the library you will admire a rich collection of sacred relics. In its courtyards, with a view of the river Pinios and Mt Koziakas, you will lose yourself in serene thoughts.

Exactly opposite and at an altitude of 550m. lies the Holy Monastery of Varlaam or Agion Panton, all saints. Relics and manuscripts are housed in the old commons and an ethereal silence permeates its courtyard. Here you will also see the historic barrel with a capacity of 12 tons that the monks built in order to collect the rain water.

The first monastery you come across when ascending from Kastraki is that of St Nikolaos Anapafsas. In the central church you will see wonderful frescoes of the Cretan school. The skull of St Haralampos is kept in the Holy Monastery of St Stefanos. It will be a special experience if you stay for the service, since the monastery is famed not only for its miraculous relic but also for the beautiful singing voices of its brothers. At the top of another rock lies the Holy Monastery Rousanou.

The Holy Monastery of Agia Triada is situated on one of the most impressive rocks of Meteora. The view of the valley of Kalambaka and the surrounding mountains combined with the deeply religious atmosphere of the monastery is very moving and leaves your spirit in a most tranquil state.

Everywhere you venture in Meteora, you will climb steps that zigzag skywards, cross rickety bridges upon which you feel no risk of falling whatsoever and succumb to the overwhelming mysticism of this enchanting and enchanted place.
Here the soul is soothed into profound peace