Meteora Monasteries
The Holy sky touching Meteora. Feel the Epichristian spirit of Greece.

Excursions to Meteora will impress you with the breath-taking landscapes and statuesque rocks, the magnificence of the Byzantine heritage of the mountain cloisters and hospitality of Kalambaka.

The name “Meteora” translated from Greek means "Soaring in the Skies". The mountain monastery complex is situated on the edge of the Thessalian Plain. Based in the 14th century by St. Athanasios Meteorites in the manner of the Monastic State of the Holy Mountain, it is known all over the world. Along with the Acropolis of Athens, the Holy Meteora is the most popular Greece excursion route. Here any visitor, even the Chinese tourist with the inevitable camera :), becomes some kind of a pilgrim. The spiritual wealth of the Orthodox Byzantium is preserved here in its full splendor. These Monasteries are not just landmarks of the past. They live full monastic life enlightening and strengthening the pilgrim visitors, promoting the traditions continuation of the Byzantine devotional art. There are several large acting Meteora icon workshops which could also be visited. There are only six operating monasteries left from more than twenty once existed: four friaries and two nunneries. 

From rope ladders to mountain road

Until quite recently one could get on top of these sky reaching stone pillars only having fair skill by means of wooden and rope ladders. Unavailability of monasteries and isolation of the hermetical life of the monks, living atop of the monolithic giants, were saving monasteries within many centuries of difficult and unpeaceful history of Thessaly. In the first half of the 20th century, there were constructed stone stairs and cut a road up to monasteries. A considerable number of travelers got the possibility to come in touch with all the spiritual power of the ancient monks and Saints. Modern mountain-climbing expedition gives tourists masterpieces of icon-paintings, ancient manuscripts, books, unique history and architecture of Cathedrals with almost no hard efforts. 

Relax and another Holy place
Having satisfied spiritual hunger in Meteora, travelers will be able to “recharge the batteries” while having a dinner in one of the traditional taverns of the small picturesque Kalambaka, at the bottom of the cliffs.

A small temple of St. Parasceve, Martyr, surnamed "Friday" on the road from Meteora to Thessaloniki, in the cleft of Tembi, is worth a visit. The cave temple with a small icon of St. Parasceve has been miraculously discovered not so long ago. It is famous for the source of water curative for people with ophthalmic diseases.

What to wear

You need rational footwear and headwear. Please, be rightly dressed when visiting monasteries. - Women have to wear below the knee skirts or dresses. - Trousers, shorts, open shoulders, and high slits are inadmissible for women. - Men must be in trouser

What to take

Drinking water, money for souvenirs, your lunch, entrance tickets to monasteries, positive thinking, and desire to be enriched spiritually.:)

Approximate timing and route