The word "Meteoro" is Greek for "suspended in the air." And that is exactly what the 14th century rock monasteries at Meteora look like. They're simple breathtaking and a veritable world wonder.
The UNESCO site comprises a series of monasteries that were built on massive sandstone pillars, the largest of which is called the Holy Monastery of Great Meteoro, the Transfiguration of Jesus.
What makes the monasteries so special is the fact that they were not simply built upon massive sandstone pillars, but they were built into them!
It was founded by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite. No, he wasn't a meteorite himself, but simply the founder of the "systematic koenovion, i.e. the monasteries atop the rocks.
In the 16th century the main cathedral and courtyard were built and adorned with incredible frescoes. The details are amazing representations of Greek Byzantine art. When you visit, definitely stop by the museum, which showcases priceless religious icons and historical codices.
During the 16th century the Meteora community comprised 24 working monasteries. By the mid-17th century the monastic communities began a steady decline and 200 years later, most of the hermitages were in a state of ruin. The Ottomans were certainly to blame for much of the abandonment. During the 20th century some monks started coming back to Meteora and repopulating the remaining monasteries.
When you visit today, you'll see evidence of a massive reconstruction effort. And you can see the old refectory where the monks lived and worked, and there's loads of historical artifacts.
The monastery is open from 9AM until 4PM, Thursday through Monday (it's closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays).
The best way to get to Meteora for a tourist is to take a tour bus from Athens or another city. The trip my dad and brother Nick took from Athens was two days and stopped at Delphi, home of the Oracle of Delphi and the center of the earth according to Greek mythology. Check out the "belly button of the world", a stone marker indicating where the earth was born. The roads are narrow and sometimes scary, especially when you get to the mountains. Tourists could drive on their own, but the topography makes it challenging for someone not familiar with the terrain.
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