How to discover the hanging monasteries of Meteora, Greece

Meteora or The Monasteries of Meteora, can be found in the area located north of Kalambaka (more precisely located in the Thessalia region and the province of Trikala).  The Monasteries proudly stand on gigantic greyish rocks that rise as pillars next to the valley of the Peinios river. On top of these almost inaccessible rocks and at a height of approximately 600 meters, there are many monasteries, present since the 14th century. Now what does the term "Meteora" mean?

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How to explore Meteora, Greece

You can park your vehicle at five kilometers north of Kalambaka and start the climb up to the main monasteries. Accessing them means that you need to negotiate steep steps carved into the rock and pay an entrance fee of about 3 euros for each cloister. Also, the visit to the Monasteries of Meteora is strictly prohibited to those with inappropriate attire and it is mandatory for women to wear long skirts.

After passing through the town of Kastraki, there is a cliff on which a chapel was built in memory of the Doupiani monastery-currently in a state of ruin- because it was one of the first that were established in the region. It was founded in the 12th century and was the administrative and spiritual center of the Meteora for a long time.  Further along the path, you will come across the Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas monastery (open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) built in 1388 and extended further in 1628. Near it there are the ruins of the Agia Moni monastery as well as the Agia Roussanou and Varlaam monasteries (open to the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3.30 to 6 p.m.).  The buildings that stand out are infirmary, with a large dome supported on columns; the winery, with barrels from the 16th century and the Vrizones tower, from 1536 (where you can still see the old freight elevator made of a sack and ropes).

Finally, you can visit the Great Meteoro monastery, whose interior is decorated with frescoes made at about the same time, except for those of the sanctuary, which date back to the end of the 15th century; those of Ipapandis, the Agia Triada and the Agios Stefanos monasteries.

Keep reading about the Hanging Monasteries of Meteora, Greece in this article!