Meteora, Greece: Off The Beaten Path

 

“Hovering in the air,” the Meteora monasteries are pillars of beauty, ingenuity, architecture, history, faith and culture amidst the rocky landscape of Greece’s inlands. Built into the rocky columns, the six active monasteries each have their own personalities and histories; all are worth traveling to!

 

During the 11th century, the area was settled by monks living in caves within the mountains. As the Turkish occupation expanded, the monks moved higher into the cliffs of Meteora, until they reached the inaccessible peaks in which they now sit. With ladders, baskets, and pulley systems, the monks were able to build incredible buildings atop the stone pillars in order to live out their days of devotion and hermitage. Today, only a handful of monks live at the properties and maintain their way of life, despite the visitors seeking peace, culture, and of course, a stunningly beautiful view!

 

To say that ‘the hike into the monasteries is picturesque’ would be an understatement. Though, it is not for the faint of heart. Parts of the trails (in particular, the trail leading to The Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas) can be difficult for some as it is very steep. Thankfully, there are now roads that connect the monasteries; you can drive in, park, and walk just a short distance to arrive at the spectacular structures. Please note: the monasteries have differing closing times as well as lunch breaks. Be sure to check the dress code requirements before you arrive.

 

Featured image: © Lorenzo Spoleti | Unsplash