The monasteries of Meteora located east of the Pindos Mountains near the town of Kalambaka in Thessaly, Greece, is a World Heritage Site. The name meteora comes from “meteorizo”, which means “floating in the air”. This name describes the situation of the monasteries, on a high cliff were built, so they sometimes hazy air seem to float.The area of Meteora Greece is located at coordinates
39°42′ 51 ” N 21°37′ 52 “. Meteora is located in central Greece in area of Thessaly. It is a great place in Greece. Meteora is surrounded by magnificent rock formations of which have the distinction of having several monasteries built on top of them during the 14th and 15th centuries. Meteora has some of the most enchanting views of lush green hills and valleys. Kalambaka is best known today because of the proximity to the monasteries that were built by monks on the impressive rock formations of Meteora. Kalambaka offers accommodations, shops, and several traditional restaurants with the finest local delicacies. However, in the 1920s some steps have been carved into the rocks, which leaded to a bridge from the close plateau. Obviously this measure gives a much more simple access to the complex, instead of the large nets or unsafe ladders lashed together that the ancient monks used for descending.
Each one of these monasteries has less than 10 inhabitants, although they are extensively visited by tourists.In addition, the monasteries in
This way of living resulted very safe for the difficult times that were coming to the point that by the 15th century, there were 26 monasteries functioning, 6 of which still work. 5 of them are male and 1 is female,this was not totally new, since hermits and ascetics have traditionally clambered up the peaks of the Meteora since approximately 10th century, while in the late12th century the Panaghia Doupiani, a small church also known as “Skete” was built at the foot of one of these endless rocks where monks had already established their residence.
The entire system consists of 24 different monasteries and hermitages, of which only six are inhabited. The remaining eighteen monasteries are either too difficult to reach or were due to collapse of danger.
The first proven hermitages exist in Metéora since 11 Century, overnight deliveries reported by a settlement even before the 10th Century. Over the years it grew to a hermitages organized community following the example of the holy Mount Athos together and formed the monastery Doupiani.Meteora is part of central Greece, and is placed on the north-western edge of the Plain of Thessaly near Pindus Mountains and the Peneios River. It constitutes one of the most dramatic landscapes of the country and is also its second largest and most popular complex of monasteries. The monasteries look as if they were suspended in the air, which wasn purposely done in the 14th century, in order to protect the hermit monks during the Ottoman occupation, by the inaccessibility of these huge rock pillars. Due to the safety of the location of the monasteries there were 26 of them built by the 15 th century six of which are still in use today.Kalambaka is located in the prefecture of Trikala and is the capital of the district of Kalambaka. Kalambaka has a rich history since it has existed since ancient times. There have been many significant artifacts discovered in the area of Kalambaka, that date back to Hellenistic and Roman periods.On the other hand, the name given to this region means ‘suspended in the air’ which perfectly describes its main feature, as the monasteries are placed on great natural stone pillars, which by the way is a unique architectural achievement. Therefore, the monasteries look as if they were suspended in the air, which has been purposely made during the 14th century, in order to protect the hermit monks during the Ottoman occupation, by the inaccessibility of these huge rock pillars.
