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One of the most remarkable sights in mainland Greece is Meteora, the collection of six 14th-century monasteries which sit precariously on the top of natural pinnacles of sandstone. ‘Meteora’ means ‘suspended in the air’ and the location would have been perfect for monks who wanted isolation, not only to allow them to pray in silence, but also to escape the threats of the Ottoman empire. The monks would use ladders to climb up to their lofty dwellings, pulling them up when they weren’t being used and cutting themselves off entirely from outside influences. Originally there were more than 20 monasteries, but only six remain today.

While the monasteries have remained on the rocks for over 600 years, it is believed that humans have occupied the site for up to 50,000 years, with pre-historic man-made structures discovered in the caves of the rocks by palaeontologists.

Visitors to the site today don’t need to worry about rope ladders. Roads lead up to the site and no more than a short walk is required to explore the monasteries, although to experience a little of the essence of these structures it’s best to walk up the hundreds of steps. With each monastery closing on a different day of the week you’re guaranteed to be able to visit most, if not all, the sites whenever you choose to visit.  There’s an admission charge for each building, and there are no refreshment facilities at any of the sites, so it’s wise to carry water with you.

Four of the monasteries still house religious communities, and a respectful dress code applies. Shoulders and knees must be covered before entering (shawls are available at the entrance). The monasteries house some impressive frescos from the 16th century, but without doubt it is the sheer improbability of the location which marks this out as a unique site.

Meteora is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and it has also played its part in the movies: the Monastery of the Holy Trinity was a filming location in the 1981 James Bond film For Your Eyes Only.

Most visitors to Meteora choose to stay in Kalambaka, the town directly below the monasteries and one which has rail services to and from Athens. A less hectic place to stay, and a better base for those planning to hike up to the monasteries, is the village of Kastraki. It’s a laid-back, old-style Greek town, and while it offers a modest selection of restaurants, it’s only a short hop from Kalambaka for those looking for a more varied night out. Not that you might need that, after what is sure to be a strenuous day of climbing the monastery steps.

 

Photo by Janmad [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons