The Monasteries on Giant Rocks 

The pillars of rock known as Meteora, sculpted by prehistoric rivers and crowned by otherworldly monasteries, are monuments to the power of nature and faith. 

Meteora means ‘suspended in space’. Your first, second and third sight of these impossibly tall, vertical rocks will have you gasping in disbelief. But it’s not just the incredible geology that stretches your imagination. It’s the monasteries balanced on these pinnacles. How did they get there? Well, unbelievably, the monks who built them were the original rock climbers, lifting the materials up with pulleys, nets and their bare hands. Today’s rock climbers come to the site from the world over to pit themselves against these gigantic rocks.  

Unesco has declared Meteora a much-cherished World Heritage Site and the Greek state calls it a sacred spot.  

In the 14th century, the Blessed Athanasios of Meteora founded the first monastic community here in the monastery of the Great Meteoron. Other monks followed from other corners of Greece, creating a total of 20 monasteries. 

10 Reasons to visit Meteora: 

• Visit the Monastery of Holly Trinity famous of James Bond movie! 
• Admire the six Monasteries that are in operation today. Most of them were founded in the 14th century. 
• Climb the 300 steps leading to the highest peak of the biggest rock and visit the Monastery of the Transfiguration. 
• Visit a very old and strange church, the Assumption 
• Experience moments of relaxation and culinary delights in the shadow of Meteora. 
• Follow the oldest human footprints ever discovered in the cave Theopetra 
• Get an amulet for a scarf from the St. George. 
• Admire the glorious sunset over the rocks of Monasteries 
• Walk the streets of the picturesque old quarter of the amphitheater built Kastraki village 
• Go up to the oldest settlement of Kalambaka to discover the fountain with magical properties.

MUST SEES: Great Meteoro, Varlaam, Saint Nikolas, Agia Triada, S. Stephan, Rousanou 

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: rock climbing, hiking, biking, rafting at shallow, visit Kalambaka (Spotos), visit the woodworking school, Kastraki village, the Sarkina bridge, Theopetra cave.