Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1988, we find the Meteora Monasteries in northern Greece , near the city of Kalambaka .
The set of a total of 23 monasteries is built on gigantic rocks that some ancient Christians found used as a refuge to hide from invading enemies back in the fourteenth century. They would finish their construction in the 16th century, although at present only six are still active.
The isolation was absolute, in such a way that they devised a system of pulleys of animal and human traction through which they could lower the town. Over time, stairs and bridges have been built thanks to which today can be visited.
– Monastery of San Nicolás , (Αγιος Νικόλαος, Àgios Nikólaos). The "Katholikon", dedicated to Saint Nicholas, is just a church with a characteristic square shape.
– Monastery of San Esteban , (Αγιος Στέφανος, Àgios Stéfanos). It is one of the most accessible. The old convent refectory is used as a museum today.
– Monastery of the Holy Trinity , (Αγία Τριάδα, Agía Triada). It is one of the most difficult to access. The visitor has to cross the valley and continue up to get through the rock before reaching the entrance.
– Monastery of the Transfiguration, or the Great Meteor, (Μεγάλο Μετέωρο, Megálo Metéoro). It is the largest of the monasteries. It was built by the monk Athanasio ton Meteoriti in the highest stone. The old monastery is used as a museum today.
– Roussanou Monastery , (Ρουσάνου). At first it was a monastery for men, but today it is inhabited by women.
– Varlaam Monastery , (Βαρλαάμ). The holy monastery of Varlaam is the second largest after the great Meteor. It is in front of the Great Meteor.
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