Photography - Ivan Andrejic
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Region of Meteora Meteora is an area that covers few square kilometers, where an ancient monastic community and a rare geological phenomenon of huge rock pillars coexist in absolute harmony. Located at the northwest tip of the plain of Thessaly, Meteora today has become one of the most popular destinations of mainland Greece. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an archeological site and an officially declared holy place! At the foothills of the rocks, there are 2 settlements, the town of Kalabaka and the village of Kastraki. Kalampaka (also spelled Kalambaka or Kalabaka) is a town of 12,000 citizens and is situated on the foot of the most extraordinary Meteora rocks. It is at times underestimated as merely sharing the glory of the Meteora pinnacles that spectacularly rise at the near background. However, it is a town with a very rich and long history in itself. Kastraki is indeed a most picturesque place with an authentic, local character. Feeling closer to the local lifestyle in the Greek province, enjoying the proximity to nature and finding peace of mind are some of the major assets of this place that urge visitors to book accommodation in this traditional, beautiful village.
The Monasteries of Meteora Serene, spiritual, magical, mystical, extraordinary, breathtaking, immense, inspiring, impressive. These are only some of the words people very often use in an effort to describe the Meteora phenomenon. A trip to Meteora offers the unique experience of nature’s grandeur in conjunction with history, architecture and man’s everlasting desire to connect with the Divine. From the early Christian times, the Meteora vertical cliffs were regarded as the perfect place to achieve absolute isolation, to discover peace and harmony and, thus, to support man’s eternal struggle for spiritual elevation. Meteora is a truly inspiring and sensational setting of overwhelming rock formations, but one must also be prepared to expect that this trip is much more than merely visiting an exquisite landscape. It is a pilgrimage to a holy place for all Christians around the world. Meteora has become a preservation ark for the 2000-year-old Christian Orthodox creed. The first monks of Meteora arrived back in the 14th century establishing an entire monastic community on top giant cliffs. They chose to do this not because it was easy but because it was hard, almost impossible. And they succeeded in this great achievement through their faith. The monks separated themselves from this world; fleeing in the deserts, crossing the seas, climbing on steep and high mountains. They stop at nothing in their everlasting desire to witness the Divine Light; to experience the presence of God in their hearts.
The Great Meteoron Monastery The Great Meteoron Monastery is the biggest and oldest one of all. 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. The Great Meteoro Monastery was founded by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite who was the first founder of the monastery and the organizer of the systematic koenovion. For this reason, the foundation of this monastery is considered to be a turning point, or even better, the beginning of the organized monastisicm in Holy Meteora. Hosios Athanasios was born around 1302 in the medieval town of New Patras, today’s Hypati and his lay name was Andronikos. The main cathedral in the central courtyard is embellished with beautiful 16th century frescoes. Take time to gaze at the artistic details of some of the best samples of Greek Byzantine art and then rush to the museum, where historical codices and religious icons of high value are on display. Once you’ve reached the summit, a rewarding view awaits you and the monastery calls for exploration. In the monastery the visitor can still visit and admire the Sacristy as well as the manuscript and the New-martyrs halls (previously a nursing home and hospital) and the hall of Coloured Historical Lithographies of the years 1913-23 and 1940-41. Take a look inside the old refectory of the monks, where part of an original 16th century table is preserved, with the original cutleries on it. Don’t forget to take a glance at the monastery’s old kitchen on your way out, still black with smoke, with the original bread oven and soup hearth.
Varlaam Monastery The Holy Monastery of Varlaam is the second biggest monastery. It is located opposite of the Great Meteoro Monastery and it was founded in the mid 14th century by the exercitant Hosios Varlaam. The elegant monastery Catholicon was built in the honour of Agioi Pantes in 1541-42, by two brothers from Ioannina, the priest-monks Hosioi Theophanes and Nectarios the Apsarades. The main church was decorated in 1548. Based on stylistic criteria, this magnificent wall-painting is attributed to the famous hagiographer from Thebes, Frago Catelano. This is the monastery where you can visit the tower of the old preserved net, used by the first monks for their ascent and descent from the rock, until it was “God’s will to have it replaced”! A very large and impressive 16th century oak barrel for water storage is also not to be missed. The old refectory has been turned into a museum, where visitors can admire the excellence of religious painted icons – mostly contemporary to the Renaissance period – and precious holy vestments of the priests. Other old buildings in the Monastery are the kitchen and the hospital. The bibliographic workshop and the workshop of gold-embroidery of the Monastery were excellent.
Roussanou Monastery The Holy Monastery of Roussanou has received the name of the first probable hermit who settled on the rock. The main cathedral was founded at the end of the 16th century and was decorated thirty years later. Compared to other rocks where monasteries were built, the one of Roussanou has a lower elevation, which makes it more accessible. The monastery was initially founded by monks and it suffered severe damage during World War II. It became a convent in 1988. The beautiful wall-paintings of the Catholicon were executed in 1560, when the priest-monk Arsenios was the abbot of the monastery. The unknown hagiographer seems to have been a very skilful artist and successfully follows the Cretan School style. Visit Roussanou for a different view of the surrounding rocks and adjacent monasteries. Follow the pathway from this monastery to the upper main road and discover an off-the-road spot that allows you to walk on bear rocks! Don’t miss out on this photo opportunity!
Saint Stephen’s Monastery 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. The beginning of monastic life on the rock of Agios Stephanos dates back to early in the 12th century. Hosios Antonios, in the first half of the 15th century, and Hosios Philotheos, who renovated or rather rebuilt from its foundations the old small and elegant Catholicon, the present church of Agios Stephanos, in 1545 are mentioned as its founders. St. Stephen’s Monastery includes two cathedrals; the old 16th century chapel which was severely damaged during WWII and the consequent Greek Civil War, and the 18th century main cathedral that is dedicated to Saint Charalambos and includes his holy relics. Most monasteries, such as this one, include the holy relics of their saints or founders in their main cathedrals. Visit this convent for the spectacular view towards the vast valley of Thessaly, the river Pinios and the Pindos mountain range across the plain, but also because of the old cathedral, where the marks of bullets on religious icons witness the dark chapters of the Modern Greek history.
The Holy Trinity Monastery The Holy Trinity Monastery (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! This Monastery is very close to the Saint Stephen’s Nunnery and it is perched on a steep and magnificent rock. It had already been organized Monastery since the year 1362 as indicated in a document by Symeon Uressis Palaeologos. Visitors have to follow a pathway that directs them initially to the foot of the rock, before they start walking up about 140 steps. The monastery’s main cathedral was constructed in the 15th century and decorated with frescoes in 1741 by two monks. The wall-paintings surviving today are the work of the hagiographers Antonios the priest and his brother Nicolaos. The chapel of Timios Prodromos (St John the Forerunner), a small circular church with a cupola, rock-hewn, decorated all over with wall-paintings of fine art dating from 1682, is of great interest. Visit this monastery for the adventurous ascent, the striking view and its peculiar architecture. Part of the Monastery was used as the setting for the final scenes of the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only.
Monastery of Saint Nicholas of Anapafsas The Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas of Anapafsas is the first Monastery that we encounter on our way to the Holy Meteora and was founded at the end of the 14th century. For the name Anapafsas there are numerous interpretations two of which are the most popular. The first one is that the name Anapafsas was attributed by one of the monastery’s benefactors, while the second explanation has to do with the monastery’s position being the first to be encountered on the way up and probably served to the pilgrims and other visitors as a resting place before continuing on. Resting translates into Greek anapafsys, so Saint Nicholas of Anapafsas literally means Saint Nicholas the one who rests you. The limited surface of the rock forced the building of the monastery to be built vertically on floors, one level on top of the other. Access to all the different floors is achieved through an inbuilt staircase. At the entrance of the Monastery lies the Church of St. Anthony and the crypt where the codes and the monastery’s heirlooms were previously stored. On the walls, paintings of the 14th Century can be seen. The Catholicon, where St. Nicholas is honored, is on the second floor and it is elongated and stuck on to the south side of the wall of the monastery. The dome of the church is low and has no windows. The Holy Table rests on the third floor, decorated with murals. The Table, recently restored, is used as a reception area for the visitors. There is even the ossuary, the cells of the monks and the chapel of St. John Prodromos. Since the space is restricted and there is no courtyard, the monks could only gather in the narthex, which was roomy, when there were no liturgies in the nave.
Ypapanti Monastery Byzantium in the 14th century and after many centuries of decline was reduced to a mere shadow of the once glorious Roman Empire. The last Christian emperors of the East now controlled only a tiny handful of territories, struggling to contain the advancement of the Ottoman Turks in all fronts. For many Christians of that period the end was near and their last hope was to retreat in their faith. The monastery of Ypapanti was first established during that dark period in the year 1367. Fully constructed inside a large cavity of a rock, this monastery is very indicative of its kind, compared to the ones that are usually seen on the peaks of rocks. A monk under the name of Nilos, in the year 1367 AD, along with another monk named Cyprianus became the founders and the owners of the monastery. It was destroyed in 1809, when the local rebel and hero Papathymios Vlahavas was arrested here by the Turkish army of Ali Pasha. The pathway to this monastery is a very simple and pleasant one.
Visit Meteora Visit Meteora is a group of travel professionals and local destination experts who have combined their talents, knowledge, resources and travel passion to become the pioneers of Destination Management Company in Meteora, Greece. In 2016 and 2017 Visit Meteora was awarded the golden prize of the Greek Tourism Awards, for its excellence in destination marketing and management of Meteora. The company offers the most exclusive mixture of enjoyable and memorable travel experiences both in the Meteora region and also around it, ranging from soft adventures and sight-seeing tours to day trips and transfers in one of the most breathtaking places of Greece! Visit Meteora take great pride that all of their tours are highly rated by their customers, proofing long lasting commitment to excellence in everything they do. Above all, their main goal for the past years is to bring visitors in touch with the essence of what a Meteora visit is all about: a deeply transformative experience in a natural wonder. Tours are all designed and operated by locals with a pristine knowledge of the area exposing to visitors not only the wellknown monuments but also the hidden gems of our place. Visit Meteora also offer multiday tours in mainland Greece and some islands: Olympus mountain, Athens, Delphi, Thessaloniki, Volos-Pelion, and the islands are some of the other destinations they offer tailored made travel experiences through network of partners.
The Meteora Hiking Tour by Visit Meteora The Meteora Hiking Tour is one of the best ways to enjoy this unique geological phenomenon and to learn the history of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. By joining this morning hike you will walk through hidden trails that only locals know. Visit Meteora will take you on a journey back in time following the footsteps of the first monks who arrived here more than 15 centuries ago. Experience nature at its best and enjoy great views other visitors will never get to see! Join this amazing guided hiking tour and walk among the gigantic rock pillars of Meteora to enjoy truly breathtaking views. The hike begins from the foothills of Doupiani rock, beneath the old ruins of Pantokrator monastery. It then crosses through the immense rock formations to reach the northern side of Meteora. Over that side, you’ll discover the hidden monastery of Ypapanti and the ruins of St. Dimitrious. Listen to the stories and the legends behind each place you pass along the trail and the thousand years of history will become alive through the exciting narrative of our local mountain guides. You will get to enter the hidden monastery of Ypapanti (Monday to Friday only) which opened for hikers. Afterwards, you will visit the monasteries of Great Meteoron or Varlaam and then you’ll walk down the old footpath the monks used for centuries before the construction of roads for the last part of this marvelous hike.
Meteora sunset tour by Visit Meteora While all the masses of tourists are long gone, join an amazing sunset tour that undoubtedly will become the highlight of your entire Meteora visit. This tour will take you on a late afternoon visit to discover the hidden gems of this place. Allow the locals to guide you through the winding narrow roads of Meteora to places away from the beaten tourist paths. Sunset tour begins with a visit to one of the 6 active monasteries of Meteora, Agios Stefanos or Roussanou. Then Visit Meteora team will guide you to the oldest standing monument of the place, the Byzantine church of Virgin Mary located in the old town of Kalambaka. A church made in the early Christian period with ancient marbles embedded on its walls, telling the town’s long history of 27 centuries. Visit the thousand years old hermitages of Bandovas, learn the stories and the legends and enjoy great views from the most panoramic spots.And as the sun slowly begins to descent, getting ready to touch on the mountain ridges they’ll bring you high up on the rocks of Meteora, on a magical spot to enjoy the most captivating sunset views. Up there, sitting on the edges of cliffs you will feel the evening breeze blowing through these giant cliffs. Allow your senses to explore moment by moment the dimming of the light as the sun disk sinks behind the mountains. This will be a perfect way to end a beautiful day at Meteora with an awe-inspiring tour to be remembered forever!
Meteora Balloon flights “Meteora� in Greek means suspended in the air like the clouds , name given from Aristotle the first meteorologist who was explaining the movement and the activity of the clouds back in 300 bc. Like the word explains, enjoy a flight with hotair balloons and feel like you are cloud in the air. Balloon flights company is the best choice if you want to discover Meteora from above. There are different options and tours from sunrise tour to team building flights. Meteora Sunrise flights are scheduled seven days a week, 365 days a year, weather permitting. Start is 30 minutes before the Sunrise Transfer from your hotel with Meteora hot air Balloons mini-bus. Once at the balloon launch site, staff will greet you with hot drinks and snacks. You may want to bring a light jacket, as it is often fairly cool before the sunrises fully. You will be able to watch the pilots and crew inflating the balloons and preparing for take-off... When you are comfortably in the basket, your pilot will give a full flight safety briefing, explaining the landing procedures. Weather is normally very calm in this region but Meteora flights team always prepare passengers to take safe landing positions The joy of ballooning is that no flight is ever the same activity. There is limited steering with a hot air balloon - it can only go where the wind takes it - and this makes each balloon flight an adventure. Your itinerary is shaped by the wind flow, ensuring that your experience is unprecedented and never replicated.
Accommodation in Meteora - Plakias Guest House Guest House Plakias is located at Kastraki, at the base of the Meteora. Every room has a balcony with panoramic views of the Pindus Mountains and the famous rocks. The family run Plakias combines traditional architecture with modern facilities. Each room is bright and comfortable, with an en suite bathroom and TV. There is free Wi-Fi and parking. The tavern is situated right next door and serves a complimentary breakfast and home-cooked evening meals. The communal lounge has an open fire, where you can enjoy a drink. The friendly Plakias guesthouse is 1 km from Kalambaka. There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance of the property.