The Meteora monasteries are not like anyplace. Throughout my final go to, I used to be blown away by the unbelievable magnificence I discovered right here. Be taught the historical past, the right way 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 thousands and thousands of years to color, and but the masterpiece is rarely accomplished.
Within the case of the Meteora monasteries, evidently the painter went a bit extra summary than traditional by abandoning the usually gentle, harmonious traces and changing them with highly effective vertical strokes. Breaking the same old kind and creating one thing that appears extra alien than earthly.
The end result is a spot scattered with monumental boulders — lots of them column-shaped and rising vertically to the sky, consisting of sandstone and conglomerate that when 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 likely one of the greatest locations to go to in Greece for all sorts of vacationers. Be sure that it’s firmly positioned in your Greece journey itinerary.
The 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 when you’d slightly be a part of a tour and have all of it simply deliberate out for you, try the varied excursions on supply beneath.
From Athens to Meteora
Listed below are a number of the greatest methods to get to the city of Kalambaka, on the foot of Meteora, from Athens.
Athens to Meteora by Practice: There may be an specific practice (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 ebook and it takes round 4 hours.
There are lots of different decisions with a center cease all through the day however price a bit extra. Discover out extra concerning the practice right here. A neater technique to get to Meteora by practice is by becoming a member of a day journey.
This extremely rated journey consists of the practice journies, visiting the 8 monasteries, and going contained in the hermit caves. A information, practice 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 day by day from Athens (Liossion Bus Station) to Kalambaka, by way of Lamia and Trikala, and the fare prices €29, return price is €49. The length is round 5 hours. See the bus timetable right here.
Tour from Athens to Meteora: A simple technique to go to the unbelievable Meteora Monasteries and never have to fret concerning the logistics of transportation is to hitch a day journey. This extremely rated journey consists of visiting the monasteries, the practice 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 a number of the methods you may journey from Thessaloniki to Kalambaka, which is the city situated on the foot of Meteora.
Thessaloniki to Meteora by Practice: There are a number of decisions day by day, all with a center cease. Make your technique to New Railway station (Neos Sidirodromikos Stathmos) within the middle of Thessaloniki and catch the practice there. It may 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 may 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 technique to go to the monasteries from Thessaloniki is by tour. This fashion, you gained’t have to fret concerning the logistics of getting there, and also you’ll be with a information so you may be taught extra concerning the historical past of the world.
On this tour, you’ll get to Meteora by practice, 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 quite a lot of lodging for each finances ranging from €35 and going all the way in which to €100. The truth that it has a practice and a bus station makes it very handy.
There are many eating places and cafes (try the extremely rated Restaurant Meteora) plus it has a really good pure historical past and mushroom museum in case you have the time. Click on right here to search out the museum on the map. Meteora is round ten minutes from town middle both by taxi or public bus.
For lodging in Kalambaka, you may’t beat the views of Meteora at Resort Doupiani Home! This highly-rated lodging is simply steps from the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas. Click on right here to be taught extra and ebook your keep. Or, click on right here to match prices and skim opinions of the perfect guesthouses, resorts and lodging in Kalambaka.
Kastraki Village
This scenic village is situated on the foot of two monumental rocks. It has a super location if you wish to hike Meteora since a lot of the trails begin simply outdoors the village. With a inhabitants of simply 1,500 individuals, this can be 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 resort subsequent to Adrachti Boulder with a wide ranging view from the north aspect.
As for meals, you may’t go flawed with a lot of the native taverns. The delicacies is superb and the elements are as recent as in the remainder of Greece. Costs are truthful contemplating the proximity to such a sizzling touristic website.
Click on right here to match prices and skim opinions of the perfect guesthouses, resorts and lodging in Kastraki Village.
The way to Get Across the Meteora Monasteries
Let me say prematurely that it’s troublesome to go to all monasteries in a single day. If you happen to actually wish to discover Meteora, it’s important to spend not less than two days there.
Apart from climbing solo or in teams organized by the native guides, you may 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 climbing and mountain climbing excursions with a by way of cordata (a rope that you’re connected to with a harness).
Take a look at this sundown journey out of Kalambaka, or this enjoyable morning climbing journey. For a highly-rated, inexpensive, 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, right now solely six monasteries are open, whereas the remaining are in ruins. Every of those monasteries has a €3 entrance charge. Children beneath 12 are free. Opening occasions 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 girls who should put on lengthy skirts in an effort to get in. In any case, there are particular garments on the gates that they offer you to placed on high of your present clothes, in case your skirt or costume is on the “brief” aspect.
Inside, you’re solely allowed to go to sure sections of the monasteries and the monks are remoted in quarters the place entrance just 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 development 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 suggests broad rock in Greek. Its library is likely one of the biggest of its form and has probably the most intensive assortment of codices and previous 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 totally 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 2 hundred years till two brothers from town of Ioannina renovated the chapels and began constructing the monastery again in 1518.
Entry to the highest was notoriously troublesome because the picket ladders that led there have been fairly harmful. In a while, they had been changed by a internet which was pulled to the highest with a rope. Ultimately, stairs had been carved into the rock which allowed straightforward 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, slightly than climbing up rock-cut steps.
It’s additionally the closest monastery to town of Kalambaka because the crow flies. This convent presents unbelievable views of 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 succeed in to probably the most troublesome.
The Holy Trinity Monastery sits on a really steep boulder and has probably the most troublesome entry, however when you take some time to succeed in the highest, you’ll be rewarded with superb panoramic views. You’ll get some unbelievable pictures right here.
Guests should climb 140 steps in an effort to get to its door on the high. No surprise it took monks nearly 70 years to finish its development.
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 way in which to Meteora. It’s very small and doesn’t have a yard however what it has is probably the most superb frescoes of all of the monasteries in Meteora.
They had been painted by the hand of the Cretan artist Theophanes Bathas Strelitzas who was a outstanding 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 troublesome for Monks to make the trek to the highest. Ultimately, a internet was put in which nonetheless took half-hour to get them up there.
For my part, the Roussanou Monastery is likely 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 big 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 superb.
There are additionally a variety of sketes which you’ll be able to see right here and so they’re in cavities on the rock faces. These are simply recognizable from the slender picket balconies and ladders which are 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 individuals wished to dwell in full isolation and the inaccessibility of the world 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 every week. Each Sunday, they’d hike to the small temple that they had constructed on the south aspect of Doupiani Rock to have a mass collectively and converse concerning the issues of the group. That was additionally the one time within the week that that they had 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 had been constructed after that and finally, they reached a complete of 24 when monasticism (monkhood) in Meteora was at its peak throughout the Sixteenth century.
The logistics wanted for all of this development had been a nightmare, but when the monks had one thing in abundance, it was time.
Carrying supplies and build up on the rocky pillars was a treacherous enterprise however they managed to beat many difficulties by wedging beams on the rock partitions and setting up 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 answer, however nonetheless not solely protected.
Firstly 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 identified to the remainder of the world together with his iconic photographs.
Later in 1981, the James Bond film “For Your Eyes Solely” with Roger Moore would function the Holy Trinity monastery as a capturing location and convey Meteora into the highlight with some spectacular motion scenes.
☞ Planning to journey to different areas of Greece? Be sure that to take a look at our articles for some journey inspiration: Issues To Do in Ios, Finest 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 perfect time to go to?) and Issues To Do in Zakynthos.
Meteora Monasteries As we speak
Individuals from all around 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 likely one of the most visited locations in Greece however thankfully, it’s remained comparatively untouched by the tourism development. However, 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 just isn’t allowed however there are 100 extra within the neighborhood. The native climbers supply excursions appropriate for everybody, from first-timers to specialists. Click on right here for a extremely rated mountain climbing tour.
One other exercise that thrives right here is images. For sure that the terrain presents countless angles on the placing landscapes. With monasteries teetering on the high of huge limestone rocks, your photos are positive to be spectacular.
Telephones can do a reasonably good job of taking pictures these days, however a correct digicam 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 may take a look right here). My solely recommendation is that you need to watch for the sundown when the final gentle hits the monasteries giving the rocks a golden glow and serving to their texture to be highlighted. The identical goes for dawn when you don’t thoughts the early wake-up.
The snow in winter and early morning mists could make the identical shot look solely totally 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. In contrast to museums and different historic websites, in Meteora, you’ve got the chance to completely immerse your self within the historical past of a spot that has managed to maintain fashionable life outdoors its boundaries.
Meteora has protected the monastic lifestyle that these individuals 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. Whenever you see them, you understand how these individuals had 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.