Built on top of rocks in the Meteora region in northern Greece, the Meteora monasteries have attracted the attention of believers and nature lovers for centuries.
Meteora is a complex of six Orthodox monasteries. It got its name from the Greek word “meteora,” which translates to “suspended in the air,” and this is visible in the very appearance of the monasteries located on top of cliffs. They were founded several hundred years ago, and locals will say they were built by monks who wanted to be as close to God as possible.
These sacred buildings, which were built as a refuge for Christian monks in the Middle Ages, are today among the places visited by many domestic and foreign visitors.
The appearance of Meteora is truly fascinating and gives the impression that it touches the sky. The only way to visit this holy place where missionaries still live today is by climbing old stairs. All the way to the top at 600 meters above sea level. The steps are carved into the rock, and crossing an eight-meter-long suspension bridge leads to the famous Monastery of Saint Stephen. Although the path to Meteora is by no means life-threatening, it is not recommended for those who are afraid of heights.
The first monks in this area appeared in the 11th century, but the monasteries on such inaccessible locations began to be built only in 1453. The monasteries are located in the northwestern part of the Thessalian plain, near the town of Kalambaka, which has only 12.000 inhabitants, AA writes.
The Meteora Monasteries are today under UNESCO protection, and in 1995 Greece declared them a “Holy Place”!
Photo ©️ Anadolu Agency
