Meteora

The Meteora, which literally means ‘hovering in the air,’ is a spectacular rock formation in central Greece on top of which are several Eastern Orthodox monasteries, second only in importance to the monastic complexes on Mount Athos. The area was originally settled in the 11th century by monks who lived in caves in the rocks. Today, only six monasteries are active. These are:

1. Agia Triada or Holy Trinity, which was founded by monk Dometius in the 15th century, and featured in the James Bond film “For Your Eyes Only.” The monastery is accessed via 140 steps cut into the rock
2. Varlaam Monastery, founded in 1517, and home to several intricately carved wooden crosses and fresco paintings
3. Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas, built in the 16th century by Dionysious
4. Roussanou Monastery, founded in 1545, which is accessed by a small bridge from another peak
5. Megalo Meteoro or Metamorphosis, which is built on the highest rock in the region
6. Agios Stefanos, built in 1798

Meteora

Map

Add to favorite

Create new board

Add to current board

Add to favorite

Delete from favorite

Add to favorite