Greece - the Meteora monasteries

First of all: sorry for the many pictures, I just found it sooo beautiful there!

South of Thessaloniki, we spend the night on the beach and enjoy the Mediterranean sun and the sound of the sea one last time for this episode of our journey. Or so we think. Until we realise that on the ferry to Venice we will have another 25 hours of sea and (hopefully) bright sunshine, at least during the day.

Now we're travelling right across northern Greece. We opt for a mixture of winding country roads and fast, pothole-free (and rather expensive) motorways. In between, we stroll through cosy weekly markets and drink the famous Freddo, an iced latte macchiato. Our destination is the Meteora monasteries. I've been dreaming of visiting them for a long time. And so, just a few hours later, we are standing in the mountains with a view of some of the beautiful monasteries.

But before we take a look at the monasteries, it's back to our working days. There's hardly a better place to set up your home office, is there?

The Meteora monasteries are a group of Greek Orthodox monasteries built on high cliffs. The word "Meteora" literally means "lifted into the air" or "floating", which aptly describes the dramatic location of the monasteries. I still don't quite understand why they were built up there. And above all: how.

The history of the Meteora monasteries dates back to the 11th century, when the first hermits and ascetics lived in the caves and rock niches. In the 14th century, the monk Athanasios Koinovitis founded the first organised monastery with the name Megalo Meteoro (Great Meteoro Monastery) or Monastery of Metamorphosis. In the centuries that followed, a total of 24 monasteries were built, six of which are still inhabited and accessible today.

The monasteries were built on cliffs that were difficult to access in order to protect them from raids and looting. Aha, that's the why. Originally, the monks used ladders and rope winches to reach the monasteries. Today, most monasteries are accessible via stairs and bridges. And yes, the Meteora monasteries attract thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. So we are also happy to be there before and after normal opening hours. Because our visit during the day is like a small procession with an incredible number of people. And it's still low season.

Legends

I did a little research and found some legends about the monasteries, here are a few that I particularly like.

The foundation by Engel

One of the most famous legends says that the rocks of Meteora were created by angels who lowered them from heaven to provide a safe haven for the monks. This legend emphasises the spiritual significance of the monasteries and their seemingly supernatural location on the high rocks.

St Athanasius

St Athanasios, the founder of the Meteora monastery, is often described as a miracle-working monk. It is said that he was guided by an angel who showed him the way to the rocks. Another story says that Athanasios miraculously climbed up a steep cliff to reach the site of his monastery.

The miraculous feeding

Another legend tells of the miraculous provisioning of the monks during a siege. When supplies ran low, the monks prayed to God and suddenly baskets of food appeared from above. This story emphasises the monks' trust in divine help and the spiritual power of the place.

The flying monk

There is a legend of a monk whose strong faith gave him the ability to fly. He is said to have flown from rock to rock to visit the monasteries and spread the messages of God. This story emphasises the mystical aura of the Meteora monasteries and the spiritual abilities of their inhabitants.

Cable winches and nets

One of the practical legends revolves around the monks' original methods of climbing the rocks. It is said that the monks only used rope winches and nets to carry people and materials to the top. A popular story says that the ropes were only replaced when "the Lord willed it", implying a divine provision for the monks' safety.

The invisible bridge

Another legend tells of an invisible bridge that spans between two rocks and is only visible to those who are pure of heart. This bridge is said to have served as an escape route for the monks in times of danger and symbolises the faith and purity of the monks.

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I have to say, I've been dreaming of these monasteries for years and one thing is clear: it's not the last time we've been here. The monasteries, the mountains and the green landscape are simply magical!

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Merci for "travelling with us

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Date: 24 November 2024 4 pm (doors open at 3 pm)
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