The appeal of magical Meteora monasteries
(Travel) - Six magnificent monastery situated atop towering sandstone mountains in Greece have a special attraction for overseas visitors.
Meteora consists of six small monasteries are built on natural rock pillars, located at the northwest edge of Thessaly area, near the river Pinios and Pindus mountains of central Greece. Nearly a century ago, people could only monastery to climb the ladder by thin wires or sitting in a basket hanging loosely.
In the 14th century, the Byzantine Empire weakened and the monastic community at Athos peninsula increasingly pirates Turkish siege. They were forced to leave their monastery Iviron on the western coast of the peninsula to find a new home more secure. They have moved to new lands, where the forest is making great rock shelter. The monks began to build the first monastery, to say that the process of building the monastery is very difficult and painful, because they are all situated on the towering mountain peaks.
They climb up and down only by a flimsy rope ladder should not avoid injuries and fatal accidents occur. With faith in God, they are still hard, patiently building and finally succeeded with 24 magnificent monastery. Monk named Meteora monasteries is that in Greek means "suspended in the air".
No means of access other than monastic network rope hook on rocky cliffs, which serves as a 40 m long rope ladder to the up and down. And this stone monastery in the mountains that form a community of residents crowded late 14th century. But the peaceful life of the community where this is not last long when the rebel forces against violence, pillaging the wealth makes the situation fell into chaos, a serious decline.
Then the Christians to build and restore the monastery, but could not as the original intact. Until the 18th century, Meteora monastery became a refuge center of the Greek warriors. Then the monastery was occupied by Germany and Italy in World War II, have been pillaged and destroyed religious.Experienced many vicissitudes and events, today only six monasteries remaining intact, is home to the men and women religious. Each monastery has fewer than 10 such people.
The Meteora monastery in the list of UNESCO world heritage site. It is considered one of the largest monastery complex and most important of the Greek Orthodox, only second to Mount Athos.
The Meteora monastery is a popular destination for holidays in Greece where one can visit any time of year, but to avoid the peak season from July to October, because the amount of visitors quite large. You should go from December to March. This is the best time, cool weather and number of guests is not much, so you are free to leisurely explore the surrounding area.
There are many options for visiting Meteora monasteries. You can catch buses from the city Ioannina, Trikala, Thessaloniki and Athens to the city Kalampaka. Can also take the train from the city of Thessaloniki and Athens. If you're traveling to Athens, you should catch a train in the morning would be better, so you can enjoy spectacular scenery as going through the mountains between Livadia and Lamia.
The problem was dressed quite serious when visiting this monastery. Both men and women to wear discreet clothing, shorts or short sleeved shirts are prohibited. Also visited the monastery fee is optional, depending on the generosity of everyone.
On the way up and down this monastery has been improved, there were stairs carved into the stone no longer stood up straight again, the issue is no longer travel anxiety or worry for many people.
Some pictures of monasteries on sandstone mountain:
The Meteora monastery is a popular destination for holidays in Greece where one can visit any time of year, but to avoid the peak season from July to October, because the amount of visitors quite large. You should go from December to March. This is the best time, cool weather and number of guests is not much, so you are free to leisurely explore the surrounding area.
On the way up and down this monastery has been improved, there were stairs carved into the stone no longer stood up straight again, the issue is no longer travel anxiety or worry for many people.
