Located in the heart of Greece, there is this place called Meteora and its breathtaking rock formations. It is actually the second most visited place in Greece, and it is known for its awe-inspiring monasteries perched precariously atop sheer cliffs. Meteora is a place where spirituality, history, and natural beauty converge in a mesmerizing tapestry.
Reaching Meteora
There are 2 smalls cities that you can stay. Kalabaka and Kastraki.
Kalabaka is a bigger city while Kastraki a more charming one. To stay with our RV Kalabaka was more convenient as there is a huge parking lot near the bus station.
Awe-Inspiring Architecture
The first thing that strikes visitors to Meteora is the sheer grandeur of its monasteries. Dating back to the 14th century, these monastic complexes were constructed by monks seeking refuge from political turmoil and religious persecution. What makes them truly remarkable is not just their age, but the incredible feat of engineering required to build them atop these towering sandstone pillars.
In total there are 6 active monasteries that you easily reach by car and are open for visit, even big cars like ours (RV with 6.5m) can easily reach the places. There are also buses that will do the tour.
This is the ring that we have done by car stopping to see the main points.
Hermit life
The first ones to use the cliffs of Meteora for spiritual reasons were Orthodox Christian hermit monks. They came to this place between the 9th and the 10th century to find quiet and to isolate themselves in the many caves found scattered among the cliffs. For centuries those monks lived in complete isolation. Exposed to weather elements and to all sorts of dangers they relied heavily on the help of the locals. They will regularly receive donations of food, water, clothing, wood, essential things to allow them to survive. The locals saw them as holy men who came to dwell in the area, worthy of their support.
This early period is the first stage in the monastic development of Meteora, dominated by the ascetic figures of the first hermit monks, living unorganized and in isolation in the caves of the area. This first stage lasts for a couple of centuries, up until the 12th century, and the start of the second phase in the development of Meteora’s monastic tradition.
Check more about this place in our instagram @marmitanaestrada
And a good place to stay safe
In the 15th century the Byzantine Empire got destroyed by the upcoming powerful empire of the Ottomans. Then region after region they concord the biggest part of the old empire and amongst them were also Meteora.
During those dark ages monks from all over started to hide during the persecution of the Christians and what better place to go than the monasteries of Meteora. The rocks offered natural fortification and the fact that the monasteries didn’t have any other way to enter than the pulley, saved many lives and many relics too.
After the danger passed, a few wooden ladders were added to make it easier to enter and finally nowadays the stone staircases and carved steps make it easier and safer for all of us to enter and explore them.
Credits: https://meteora.com/the-ingenuity-of-the-monks
More about Meteora
You can find more about Meteora in the link below
