There is also a nice museum open to the public. It is the only monastery that is accessible for wheelchairs and mobility. It is slightly out of town, but within a short drive. Pair your photos with some quotes about Greece and youre set to amaze your friends and social media followers. Best Loukoumades in Athens + Loukoumades Recipe, By rail (please note that the train is not always punctual here) , If you have more time you can easily combine Delphi and Meteora on this 2-day tour . This is the perfect place to stay if you want to hike or get to some of the Meteora monasteries by foot. As the winter opening hours are different from the summer ones, you should check the schedule before planing your trip to Meteora. On top of them, you will spot the famous Meteora monasteries. METEORA IS AN AMAZING PLACES IN GREECE AND YOU NAILED RIGHT WITH WONDERFUL IMAGES. Meteora Monasteries monk. This is a tough one. Vegetation in the surrounding region is typified by pine and beech forests. . We organize everyday tours with the goal to offer you the absolute and authentic Meteora experience with the best prices in the area. pants. The ascetics eventually joined to establish the Dopiani monastery. Today, only one monk occupies the monastery. It is built on the greatest rock of the complex, the Platys Lithos or Playtlithos. The church of Saint Stefanos has a timber roof and wall paintings by the The monks and the nuns abandon the world and come to the monasteries of Meteora in order to be blessed. Two popular franchises featured Meteora. Come along to make the tour of your dreams! We recommend using a rentalcar or private guide to tour the Meteora monasteries and surrounding villages. Few kilometers northwest of the town of Kalabaka, the impressive rocks of Meteora are rising from the plains of Thessaly been one of the most amazing places in Greece. Opening hours and days: April 1st to October 31st the monastery stays closed on Fridays and Sundays. Today only six monasteries are active with a small number of monks or nuns who reside on Meteora. by Violeta Matei | Greece Travel Planning, Mainland Greece. We really enjoyed the tour of the Meteora monasteries. It is not known when the old church was built but the present katholikon dedicated to Saint Haralambos was built in 1798. If this is your first time to Meteora Greece, youll probably stop for photos, as youll be impressed with the dramatic scenery. information on getting from one monastery to the next and of course there Unfortunately, only six of these grand structures remain and fully functioning. Visiting hours 09:30 13:00 and 15:00- 17:00. Meteora is always worth seeing again and again. The next morning we hired a driver to take us to the monasteries. There are many ways to get from Athens to Meteora: There are a number of one-day to multiple-day excursions available from Athens and other major cities in the country that include the monasteries of Meteora. The Serbian king then in control of Thessaly granted the monastery religious privileges. Fun Fact The Monastery of the Holy Trinity was featured in the James Bond film, For Your Eyes Only. In most monasteries, beware that you have to climb some steep steps in order to access them. Home | How To Visit the Meteora Monasteries in 2023 Organized Tours or Self-Guided Visits? [8] Damascene, Jonah, and Parthenios, were benefactors and those who took part in restorations; their names grace the monastery walls. Monasteries of Meteora, Greece Magic Monoliths in Photos, Discover the Beauty of Costa Navarino, Greece, Introducing Pelion A Greek Island Alternative, Places to Visit in Epirus The Best Kept Secret in Greece, Kiss the Blarney Stone for the Gift of the Gab, Fraser island tour, Youll Love this Unique 4WD Adventure. Peak season is between July and October. the Famous Taxi Driver who comes to Meteora about fifty times a year and should know good food. I cant imagine what geanuis of a builder it took for topping the mountain with such beauty. The monastery has a pleasant courtyard and there are many amazing frescoes to see. Ive been reading on some websites that Kastraki caters mainly to those who love a rural style accommodation. Anyway, the most spectacular thing about Meteora is the scenery with buildings on clifftops and huge rocks carved by water and winds. There are also other interesting landmarks in the Kalambaka area such as the Byzantine Church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary and the prehistoric cave in Theopetra. To say they had an immense amount of bravery is a huge understatement! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In 1988 the monasteries and their evocative landscape were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. I personally find this option the best and easiest. Meteoras surreal landscape houses the oldest known man-made structure on earth. Photos are not allowed within the chapels, but you are allowed to take photographs of the grounds and other rooms inside the monasteries. [9], At one time, fifty monks lived at Holy Trinity, but by the early twentieth century, there were only five. The monastery was featured in the 1981 James Bond film For Your Eyes Only. Meanwhile, keep an eye on my Facebook page where Ill post photos from my road trip across mainland Greece. Eventually Bond throws the ATAC decoder off the cliff top when approached by the KGB. Also known as Agia Triada it stands high on a perch creating a dramatic scene. Meteora is one of the most beautiful places of Greece , do you know that 80% of Greek territory is mountainous ? The saint's skull which was given They are situated in the Pineios Valley within the Thessalian plains close to the town of Kalambaka. The good news is that many of these monasteries are fairly easy to reach, even though they seem inaccessible at first sight. Here's one of those lifting systems. Check the latest prices and book Hotel Doupiani House.The traditional, family-run Hotel Kastraki is in this same area, under the rocks in the village of Kastraki. and modern Greece would be a reflection of the Ottoman empire with little the rocks of Meteora is a popular destination for the rock climbers who Nonetheless, you dont need an off-road vehicle to get to Meteora. Standing 80 meters high on a large rock St. Nicholas monastery is surrounded by the ruined monasteries of Saint John Prodromos. If you dont want to drive, the train is perhaps the best option to get to Meteora from Athens. November 1st to March 31st the monastery stays closed on Mondays. Well, for reaching some of them you have to be in good physical shape, as youll need to climb lots of stairs to get there. This is one more proof that the natural landscape in majestic and surprising. rebuilt in 1309 by Andronicus Paleologus is worth the visit. Must-Visit Monasteries In Meteora. The monasteries are located just north of the small town of Kalambka, south of the village of Kastraki, and east of the Pindus (Pndos) Mountains in the valley of the Pineis River. The My companion and I visited 3 or 4 of the monasteries, we enjoyed ample time in their chapels and I truly did not want to leave Roussanou. are local guidebooks available. Time stands still in Meteora and the old kitchens look exactly as they did years ago. It looks like some place dreamed up for a fantasy movie of some sort. From Trikala, you have to take another bus to Kalampaka. The tour buses from Athens have yet to arrive and you have uninterrupted views of this ancient landscape all to yourself. A day trip from Thessaloniki to Meteora by bus. Most of these rocks on which the Meteora monasteries were built average 1,000 feet (300 m) in height, but there are some that reach 1,800 feet (550 m). Greece was the first place where we travelled together and it was quite a good start, we will always think back to our visit to the Olympos and the monasteries of Meteora that time with sweet nostalgia. As it is the first one to access when you come from Kalambaka, this monastery is hard to miss. I love the idea of a hike but with a not so great knee I might have difficulty. Youll find accommodation with panoramic view to Meteora monasteries in both Kalambaka and Kastraki. You wont have to bother with anything, just relax and enjoy your guided tour. Watching the sunset on the rocks is a wonderful experience. Check the latest prices and book Ananti City Resort. Out of all the monasteries of Meteora Holy Trinity has the most dramatic location, the rock face is a sheer drop and the rock itself is a lot more slender. This event brought a whiff of change in the rock communities. This Greek monastery also boasts a big library. The travel was beautiful and Meteora was beyond our wildest dreams. By the 14th century, there were over 20 monasteries in Meteora. Their architecture and the way they are perched on those giant rocks will impress any traveler, no matter how experienced. Im not sure how they spell it in Greek, but you should know it is the same as Kalampaka or Kalambaka. Ive seen a lot of seniors doing it. Visit the monasteries to experience breathtaking views and a sense of tranquility. Meteora is a great place to experience , a spectacular landscape and byzantine monasteries perched on top of steep rocks that house priceless artifacts and wall paintings. The monasteries were built on rock cliffs in the deltaic plains of Meteora. Roussanou Monastery was founded We also provide private tours withVIPservices and personalized programs to enjoy the magic ofMeteorain the maximum. [2] They rose as a cone during the earthquakes, forming steep rock columns, known as "heavenly columns". St. Nikolas of Anapafsas (14th century) Monastery Meteora *** Roussanou (1529) monastery in Meteora Greece*** Holly Trinity (Agia Triada, 1362) Monastery in Meteora*** Great Meteoron monastery (14th century)*** Varlaam Monastery in Meteora (1350) ** Saint Stephen Nunnery (14-19th century)* I was sure they used it for wine, but the books say it was water all the way. It is also inhabited by nuns and it is very easily accessible. What a view! You dont even need a car, as you can get here by either train or bus. Opening hours and days: April 1st to October 31st -the monastery stays closed on Fridays. There are many flights from various cities in Europe to Thessaloniki. Thirty years later, that trip fills my mind and heart with joy. Situated at the central square of Kalampaka, this family-run restaurant serves traditional Greek dishes. Meteora Thrones was easy and the follow through with train tickets, pick ups etc very smooth . Not a Nomad Blog Some still serve a religious function, though they are now only sparsely populated by monks and nuns. Opening hours and days: April 1st to October 31st the monastery stays closed on Mondays. Ive been blessed with good weather both times. [12] Holy Trinity's decoration was added in 1741. At Meteora's peak in the sixteenth century, there were as many as 40 monasteries. Saint Nicholas Anapafsas Monastery 2. It is the biggest and has many areas open to the public. They seamlessly adjusted our tour to fit our specific interests. In present day, one can walk from Kalambaka for 3 kilometres (1.9mi) along a foot track to reach the monastery, or use a winch-operated lift. November 1st to March 31st the monastery stays closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Located near the towns of Kalampaka and Kastraki in northwestern Thessaly it consists of a number of rock pinnacles topped with a total of 24 monasteries. Meteora is also a great place to go rock Youll travel by train by yourself, meet the guide and the other members of your group in the Kalabaka train station, and get on a luxury minibus for a 3.5-hour tour of the Meteora Monasteries. 9am to 1pm and then from 3:30 to 6pm. Medieval monasteries hovering over the plain on giant rocks you can find just about anywhere, but a farm-raised trout and grill house this good is rare. There are many city bus lines that take you there, so you wont have a problem with that. November 1st to March 31st the monastery stays closed on Wednesdays. or book one of the everyday tours available to the Meteora monasteries. Many centuries ago, on these gigantic rocks with the breathtaking landscape reaching heights of more than 600 meters, it was formed one of the most important monastic communities of Greece. The frescoes adorning the walls of the structures mark an important stage in post-Byzantine art. the ruins of an even older church. Wow, these pictures are very dramatic! Check the latest prices and book Hotel Kastraki. Location map of the Monastery of the Holy Trinity, Meteora. Even then, Holy Trinity was one of the poorest monasteries in Meteora.[18]. Should you be willing to spend one night in Kalambaka or Trikala, you can take an evening bus from Thessaloniki (I think the last one leaves at 9pm. To the northeast, there is a chapel ( ) dedicated to St. Athanasius of Tzertzi ( ). Where to Stay in Meteora (Kalambaka)Most of the hotels in Meteora are old, but there are a few ones I can recommend.The Meteora Hotel at Kastraki is a beautifully designed hotel with plush bedding and a spectacular view of the rocks. One would really love to viisit this place after seeing the photographs. You're in for a wonderful treat when you visit Meteora mountain in Greece. Check the latest prices and book Meteora Hotel at Kastraki.The Hotel Doupiani House also has incredible views and is located steps away from the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas. You can hike with VisitMeteora and their professional local guides who tell interesting personal stories as well as in-depth information of Meteoras history and culture. Way back when in the 15th century, 24 monasteries were built atop the rock formations by monks. on the top of these are a marvel of man and seem just as miraculous and make We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Probably one of the most interesting parts of the monastery. I overdid it. Disclaimer, 12 Magnificent Fairytale Castles around the World, 10 Most Beautiful Beaches around the World, 23 Most Beautiful Islands in the Mediterranean, 18 Best Things to Do in Medellin, Colombia. Easily accessible by car and bus, it is almost always packed with tourists. Beautiful photos as always! Our experienced staff and the State of the ArtVIP Limo Mini buswe own guarantee an unforgettable, high quality, way to discover our unique place. All these are a bit tricky, as you need to change too many buses to have a comfortable trip. [19] Clifton Webb's character visits Meteora, and goes up to the Holy Trinity monastery to do some library research. By the 14th century,the community of Meteora grew to 24 Greek Orthodox monasteries suspended in the sky. this rare geological phenomenon is one of the mysteries of nature and there Moreover the beauty of the hidden monastery! My next stop is Meteora in a couple of days. Established in 1988 there are about 15 sister nuns that live in the monastery. To get to it, you will have to hike up steep steps (thankfully you no longer need to be winched up by hand) to explore the peaceful and picturesque grounds. Founded in 1400 AD, it is the only monastery visible from Kalampaka. The monastery was built in 1458 and had many treasures, but most of these were looted by the Germans during the Second World War, most of the frescoes are from the 18th century, Train to Train tour with your own tickets. The Monastery itself dates back to the 14th century, with the cathedral being built sometime in the 16th century.
