The Meteora monasteries are not like anyplace. Throughout my final go to, I used to be blown away by the unimaginable magnificence I discovered right here. Be taught the historical past, easy methods to go to Meteora, and extra on this article.
Nature is like an artist engaged on landscapes; utilizing small brush strokes on a canvas, taking hundreds of thousands of years to color, and but the masterpiece is rarely accomplished.
Within the case of the Meteora monasteries, it appears that evidently the painter went a bit extra summary than common by abandoning the usually delicate, harmonious strains and changing them with highly effective vertical strokes. Breaking the standard kind and creating one thing that appears extra alien than earthly.
The end result is a spot scattered with monumental boulders — a lot of them column-shaped and rising vertically to the sky, consisting of sandstone and conglomerate that after was a part of a delta seabed.
Journey Information to Visiting Meteora, Greece
Among the Meteora monasteries are so tightly constructed on these pillar tops, that it appears as if they’re built-in into the rock.
To make issues look much more excessive, a handful of monks climbed a number of of those columns at first of the 14th century and constructed greater than 20 monasteries on the high of their jagged peaks!
Meteora is without doubt one of the finest locations to go to in Greece for all sorts of vacationers. Ensure that it’s firmly positioned in your Greece journey itinerary.
The best way to Get to Meteora (Kalambaka)
There are trains and buses leaving from Athens and Thessaloniki for Kalambaka (the principle city to go to Meteora from) each day. Or for those who’d somewhat be a part of a tour and have all of it simply deliberate out for you, take a look at the varied excursions on provide beneath.
From Athens to Meteora
Listed below are among the finest methods to get to the city of Kalambaka, on the foot of Meteora, from Athens.
Athens to Meteora by Prepare: There’s an categorical prepare (quantity 884) each morning going direct from the central station in Athens (Larissa Station) to Kalambaka at 7:20 within the morning. It prices €20 – €40 relying on the category you e-book and it takes round 4 hours.
There are numerous different decisions with a center cease all through the day however value a bit extra. Discover out extra concerning the prepare right here. A neater option to get to Meteora by prepare is by becoming a member of a day journey.
This extremely rated journey contains the prepare journies, visiting the 8 monasteries, and going contained in the hermit caves. A information, prepare tickets, pick-up and drop-off, and water are included on this enjoyable day journey. Discover out extra and reserve your spot, right here.
Athens to Meteora by Bus: 5 buses depart each day from Athens (Liossion Bus Station) to Kalambaka, by way of Lamia and Trikala, and the fare prices €29, return value is €49. The length is round 5 hours. See the bus timetable right here.
Tour from Athens to Meteora: A simple option to go to the unimaginable Meteora Monasteries and never have to fret concerning the logistics of transportation is to hitch a day journey. This extremely rated journey contains visiting the monasteries, the prepare tickets, pick-up out of your lodging, a information and extra. Discover out particulars, learn opinions, and reserve your spot, right here.
From Thessaloniki to Meteora (Kalambaka)
Listed below are among the methods you’ll be able to journey from Thessaloniki to Kalambaka, which is the city situated on the foot of Meteora.
Thessaloniki to Meteora by Prepare: There are a number of decisions each day, all with a center cease. Make your option to New Railway station (Neos Sidirodromikos Stathmos) within the heart of Thessaloniki and catch the prepare there. It could actually take from 2.5 to three hours to get from Thessaloniki to Kalambaka and the fare is between €15 and €25.
Thessaloniki to Meteora by Bus: There are not any direct buses, however you’ll be able to change at Trikala. There are 4 buses a day going to Kalambaka from Thessaloniki by way of Trikala. In whole, it takes round 3.5 hours and the ticket prices €22.
Excursions from Thessaloniki to Meteora: A simple option to go to the monasteries from Thessaloniki is by tour. This fashion, you received’t have to fret concerning the logistics of getting there, and also you’ll be with a information so you’ll be able to study extra concerning the historical past of the realm.
On this tour, you’ll get to Meteora by prepare, with tickets, a information, free time, visits to the monasteries, and water included within the value. Discover out extra right here.
The place to Keep in Meteora
Mainly, there are two decisions close to Meteora: the cities of Kalambaka and Kastraki.
Kalambaka City
This small city has a wide range of lodging for each funds ranging from €35 and going all the best way to €100. The truth that it has a prepare and a bus station makes it very handy.
There are many eating places and cafes (take a look at the extremely rated Restaurant Meteora) plus it has a really good pure historical past and mushroom museum if in case you have the time. Click on right here to seek out the museum on the map. Meteora is round ten minutes from the town heart both by taxi or public bus.
For lodging in Kalambaka, you’ll be able to’t beat the views of Meteora at Lodge Doupiani Home! This highly-rated lodging is simply steps from the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas. Click on right here to study extra and e-book your keep. Or, click on right here to check prices and browse opinions of the very best guesthouses, resorts and lodging in Kalambaka.
Kastraki Village
This scenic village is situated on the foot of two monumental rocks. It has an excellent location if you wish to hike Meteora since many of the trails begin simply exterior the village. With a inhabitants of simply 1,500 folks, it is a peaceable place to remain.
Kastraki Village has a number of choices for sleeping and eating places to select from. The fee for a twin room fluctuates between €40 and €100.
Final time I visited Meteora, I stayed in Pyrgos Adrachti – a small lodge subsequent to Adrachti Boulder with a wide ranging view from the north facet.
As for meals, you’ll be able to’t go improper with many of the native taverns. The delicacies is wonderful and the elements are as contemporary as in the remainder of Greece. Costs are truthful contemplating the proximity to such a scorching touristic website.
Click on right here to check prices and browse opinions of the very best guesthouses, resorts and lodging in Kastraki Village.
The best way to Get Across the Meteora Monasteries
Let me say prematurely that it’s tough to go to all monasteries in a single day. Should you actually need to discover Meteora, it’s a must to spend not less than two days there.
Apart from mountaineering solo or in teams organized by the native guides, you’ll be able to tour across the monasteries in a rental automobile, a taxi, or the general public bus that begins each two hours from Kalambaka.
In addition to the basic monastery excursions, there are some guides offering sundown excursions to nice viewpoints in addition to extra excessive mountaineering and mountain climbing excursions with a by way of cordata (a rope that you’re hooked up to with a harness).
Take a look at this sundown journey out of Kalambaka, or this enjoyable morning mountaineering journey. For a highly-rated, reasonably priced, half-day sightseeing tour (with a pick-up from both Kalambaka or Kastraki), click on right here.
The Six Meteora Monasteries
On the peak of the Sixteenth century, there have been 24 monasteries, at present solely six monasteries are open, whereas the remaining are in ruins. Every of those monasteries has a €3 entrance charge. Youngsters underneath 12 are free. Opening instances can change so at all times test on-line earlier than visiting.
If you end up visiting the Meteora monasteries keep in mind that there are guidelines about clothes, principally for ladies who should put on lengthy skirts in an effort to get in. In any case, there are particular garments on the gates that they provide you to placed on high of your present clothes, in case your skirt or costume is on the “quick” facet.
Inside, you’re solely allowed to go to sure sections of the monasteries and the monks are remoted in quarters the place entrance isn’t allowed.
1. Nice Meteoron Monastery
The monastery that gave its title to the entire space is also referred to as the Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration of Christ. It’s the most important and an important in Meteora.
Its building within the 14th century is taken into account a turning level and initiated a brand new period of monasticism within the space.
It sits on high of an enormous rock referred to as “Platis lithos” which implies broad rock in Greek. Its library is without doubt one of the biggest of its type and has probably the most in depth assortment of codices and outdated books in Meteora.
The Nice Meteoron Monastery additionally has a museum devoted to the trendy historical past and struggles of Greece from the revolution of 1821 towards the Ottoman Empire till WWII. The unique absolutely outfitted kitchen and the cellar with the 12.000-litre wine barrel are of nice curiosity.
Opening Hours:
- Summer time (April 1 – October 31): 9:00 to 17:00. The monastery is closed on Tuesdays.
- Winter (November 1 – March 31): 9:30 to 14:00. The monastery is closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
- Contact Quantity: +30 24320 22278
2. Varlaam Monastery
This monastery has taken its title from hermit Varlaam who climbed its mighty pillar again in 1350. There, he constructed a small cell to sleep together with three chapels.
After his dying, the place remained abandoned for nearly 200 years till two brothers from the town of Ioannina renovated the chapels and began constructing the monastery again in 1518.
Entry to the highest was notoriously tough because the wood ladders that led there have been fairly harmful. In a while, they have been changed by a web which was pulled to the highest with a rope. Ultimately, stairs have been carved into the rock which allowed simple and protected entry.
Don’t miss the Sixteenth-century oak barrel which was used for water storage and the museum with non secular work.
Opening Hours:
- Summer time (April 1 – October 31): 9:00 to 16:00. The monastery is closed on Fridays.
- Winter (November 1 – March 31): 9:00 to fifteen:00. The monastery is closed on Thursdays and Fridays.
- Contact Quantity – +30 24320 22277
3. Saint Stephen’s Nunnery
This nunnery has distinctive tiled roofs and crimson-colored domes that make a robust distinction towards the Greek blue sky. It encompasses a wealthy assortment of codices and is definitely accessible by crossing a small bridge, somewhat than mountaineering up rock-cut steps.
It’s additionally the closest monastery to the town of Kalambaka because the crow flies. This convent gives unimaginable views of the town, the valley of Thessaly, and the Pindos mountain vary.
Opening Hours:
- Summer time (April 1 – October 31): 9:00 – 13:30 and 15:30 – 17:30. Closed on Mondays.
- Winter (November 1 – March 31): 9:30 – 13:00 and 15:00 – 17:00. Closed on Mondays.
4. Holy Trinity Monastery
From the simplest Meteora monastery to achieve to probably the most tough.
The Holy Trinity Monastery sits on a really steep boulder and has probably the most tough entry, however for those who take the time to achieve the highest, you’ll be rewarded with wonderful panoramic views. You’ll get some unimaginable pictures right here.
Guests should climb 140 steps in an effort to get to its door on the high. No surprise it took monks virtually 70 years to finish its building.
Opening Hours:
- Summer time (April 1 – October 31): 10:00 – 16:00. Closed on Thursdays.
- Winter (November 1 – March 31): 10:00 – 16:00. Closed on Thursdays.
5. Saint Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery
This multilevel monastery is the primary one you’ll see after Kastraki on the best way to Meteora. It’s very small and doesn’t have a yard however what it has is probably the most wonderful frescoes of all of the monasteries in Meteora.
They have been painted by the hand of the Cretan artist Theophanes Bathas Strelitzas who was a distinguished painter of the Cretan college to which Domenikos Theotokopoulos (generally known as El Greko) additionally belonged.
Opening Hours:
- Summer time (April 1 – October 31): 9:00 – 17:00
- Winter (November 1 – March 31): 9:00 – 16:00 Monday – Saturday. 9:30 – 16:00 on Sundays.
6. Roussanou Monastery
The second monastery you’ll encounter coming from Kastraki sits on probably the most spectacular pillar of all. Surrounded by many different boulders of this “stone forest”, it’s the centerpiece of this dreamy panorama.
Though at a reasonably low elevation, it was nonetheless tough for Monks to make the trek to the highest. Ultimately, a web was put in which nonetheless took half-hour to get them up there.
For my part, the Roussanou Monastery is without doubt one of the most stunning monasteries to {photograph} throughout sundown. There’s additionally a pathway main from the monastery, test it out!
Opening Hours:
- Summer time (April 1 – October 31): 9:00 – 16:30. Closed on Wednesdays.
- Winter (November 1 – March 31): 9:30 – 14:00. Closed on Wednesdays.
Different Meteora Monasteries
Saint Antonios, Saint Nikolaos Pantovas, and Ipapanti are three spectacular monasteries hidden inside large rock cavities. They don’t have monks anymore and are harder to entry however if you wish to see one thing distinctive even by Meteora requirements, they’re wonderful.
There are additionally quite a lot of sketes which you’ll be able to see right here they usually’re in cavities on the rock faces. These are simply recognizable from the slender wood balconies and ladders which might be perched there.
Historical past of the Meteora Monasteries
The primary hermits arrived in Meteora on the finish of the tenth century and created the primary sketes (small monastic communities). These folks wished to dwell in full isolation and the inaccessibility of the realm offered simply that.
They lived and slept in caverns and rock fissures and their solely occupation was praying for the salvation of themselves and the world.
The one time the hermits left their sketes was as soon as per week. Each Sunday, they’d hike to the small temple they’d constructed on the south facet of Doupiani Rock to have a mass collectively and converse concerning the issues of the neighborhood. That was additionally the one time within the week that they’d a correctly cooked meal.
This routine went on for greater than 3 centuries till a monk named Athanasios constructed the primary monastery on high of a boulder referred to as the “Broad Rock” and named it Nice Meteoro.
Extra Meteora monasteries have been constructed after that and ultimately, they reached a complete of 24 when monasticism (monkhood) in Meteora was at its peak through the Sixteenth century.
The logistics wanted for all of this building have been a nightmare, but when the monks had one thing in abundance, it was time.
Carrying supplies and increase on the rocky pillars was a treacherous enterprise however they managed to beat many difficulties by wedging beams on the rock partitions and developing scaffolds.
A lot later, they changed the scaffolding with nets and baskets that they pulled to the highest with a rope. A a lot better resolution, however nonetheless not totally protected.
In the beginning of the twentieth century, many monasteries right here had stairs carved within the rock which made the entry a lot simpler. It was this that opened Meteora monasteries to the surface world and allowed the primary guests to reach.
Amongst them, the well-known Swiss traveler and photographer Frederic Boissonnas visited Meteora in 1930 and made its existence recognized to the remainder of the world together with his iconic pictures.
Later in 1981, the James Bond film “For Your Eyes Solely” with Roger Moore would characteristic the Holy Trinity monastery as a capturing location and produce Meteora into the highlight with some spectacular motion scenes.
☞ Planning to journey to different areas of Greece? Ensure that to take a look at our articles for some journey inspiration: Issues To Do in Ios, Greatest Seashores in Greece, Issues To Do in Corfu, a Journey Information to Lesvos Greece, a Journey Information to Chios Greece, a Journey Information to Kefalonia Greece, Climate in Greece (when is the very best time to go to?) and Issues To Do in Zakynthos.
Meteora Monasteries In the present day
Folks from everywhere in the world collect on this comparatively small space of the Thessaly Plain to go to Meteora monasteries and admire the breathtaking landscapes round them.
Meteora is without doubt one of the most visited locations in Greece however thankfully, it’s remained comparatively untouched by the tourism development. Then again, the close by cities of Kalambaka and Kastraki village have grown considerably within the final century since they function a base for almost all of tourists to the Meteora monasteries.
Meteora can also be a well-known mountain climbing website in Greece and one of the vital acknowledged in Europe. Climbing any of the 6 monastery boulders isn’t allowed however there are 100 extra within the neighborhood. The native climbers provide excursions appropriate for everybody, from first-timers to consultants. Click on right here for a extremely rated mountain climbing tour.
One other exercise that thrives right here is images. Evidently that the terrain gives infinite angles on the hanging landscapes. With monasteries teetering on the high of large limestone rocks, your pictures are certain to be spectacular.
Telephones can do a fairly good job of taking pictures these days, however a correct digital camera on a tripod can actually shine on the market – or higher but, a drone.
Throughout my final go to, I shot a few of my hottest images (you’ll be able to take a look right here). My solely recommendation is that it’s best to look forward to the sundown when the final mild hits the monasteries giving the rocks a golden glow and serving to their texture to be highlighted. The identical goes for dawn for those who don’t thoughts the early wake-up.
The snow in winter and early morning mists could make the identical shot look totally completely different. Due to this, most photographers return, repeatedly, to shoot the Meteora monasteries all year long.
Don’t Miss Meteora
Meteora monasteries live relics which have remained untouched by time for greater than 500 years. Not like museums and different historic websites, in Meteora, you’ve got the chance to totally immerse your self within the historical past of a spot that has managed to maintain fashionable life exterior its boundaries.
Meteora has protected the monastic lifestyle that these folks have chosen to observe for greater than a thousand years.
Contained in the Nice Meteoron Monastery is a bone chamber full of the skulls of all monks that lived and died there. Once you see them, you understand how these folks have been (and nonetheless are) an inseparable piece of this stone forest, a spot that offered them safety and allowed them to dwell their silent lives having discovered God on this desolate, stunning place.
