DAY 3, Nov 11, 2018 SUNDAY:
“The sea is His, for it was He who
made it, and His hands formed the dry land and the high mountains.
And men of faith then came and curved the rocks and conquered the
mountains, creating temples for the worship of their God”
Serene, spiritual, magical, mystical,
immense, inspiring, impressive... words are inadequate to describe
the majesty of the Meteora monasteries.
We experience nature’s grandeur in
conjunction with history, architecture and man’s everlasting desire
to connect with the Divine.
Meteora (Greek: Μετέωρα, pronounced [meˈteora])
is a rock formation in central Greece hosting one
of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern
Orthodox monasteries, second in importance only to Mount
Athos. The name means "lofty", "elevated".
Meteora is a truly inspiring and sensational setting of monasteries
on steep rock formations.
In their everlasting desire to witness
the Divine Light, an ascetic group of hermit monks moved up to
these ancient pinnacles. They lived
in hollows and fissures in the rock towers, some as
high as 1800 ft (550 m) above the plain. This great height,
combined with the sheerness of the cliff walls, kept away all
visitors.
Monasteries were built in the
14th century, when the monks wanted shelter from an increasing
number of Turkish attacks on Greece. At this time, access to the top
was via removable ladders or windlass. Nowadays, getting up is a lot
simpler with steps carved into the rock during the 1920s. Of
the 24 monasteries, only 6 (four male, two female) are still
functioning, with each housing fewer than 10 individuals
The six (of an original twenty four)
monasteries are built on immense natural pillars and hill-like
rounded boulders that dominate the local area. Varlaam monastery for
instance is on top of a 373 metres (1,224 ft) cliff.
It was such a privilege to visit these monasteries!
Hotel Tsikeli, Kastraki, Meteora, Kalambaka:
Our hotel Tsikeli is located in the
picturesque village of Kastraki, near the city of Kalambaka, right at the foot of the mountains where the monasteries are nestled. We had a
balcony with a great view of the imposing rocks of Meteora
Below is the Winter opening hours (01/11 – 31/03)
SATURDAY, SUNDAY, all are open
| Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration (Metamorphosis) of Christ (Great-Meteoron) | 09:00-16:00 Closed: Tuesday & Wednesday |
| Holy Monastery of Varlaam | 09:00-16:00 Closed: Thursday & Friday |
| Holy Monastery of Saint Stephen | 09:30-13:00 & 15:00-17:00 Closed: Monday |
| Holy Monastery of Holy Trinity | 10:00-16:00 Closed: Wednesday & Thursday |
| Holy Monastery of Rousanou | 09:00-14:00 Closed: Wednesday |
| Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas Anapafsas | 09:00-14:00 Closed: Friday |
Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas Anapafsas:
We had an early start, arrived at the entrance of the first monastery by 8 am. Though the hours on the board outside said it opened later, gates were open, we went in and it was all open
Went up a steep path and saw this cave chapel.
Then climbed up the steps seeing great views all the way
Lovely icons and frescos.
Then we climbed up toward the bell tower. This is a lounge and a priest was entertaining some visitors in a room inside.
At the bell tower
There's drinking water for thirsty travelers who have trekked up...
The national flag and the yellow flag on a site tell you the site is open for visits... I think!!
Drove on and reached Monastery of Rousanou
Holy Monastery of Rousanou:
First monastery seen on the middle hill in the background
Skirts, shirts for female visitors hung on wall in the background
The flags again...
Skirts, shirts for female visitors hung on wall in the background
Holy Monastery of Varlaam:
Holy Monastery of Varlaam built in 1541-42 was next.
Report on our visit to the last 3 monasteries continues here:
VIDEO LINK:
Meteora 1 First 2 monasteries (St Nicholos Anapafsas and Rousanou):
Meteora 2: Last 4 monasteries (Great Meteoron, Varlaam, Holy Trinity, St Stephens), Sunset:
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