In a zone formed by enormous rocks with abrupt and impressive rocky walls, the summits carry the Meteors : famous cenobitic monasteries (from “meteora” meaning perched in the airs).
The caves of the site were occupied by hermits since the XIth century. In the XIVth were built the first monasteries, with the Great Meteor rested by Saint Athanase coming from the Athos Mount in Chalcedony.
There were 24 monasteries in the XVIth century, but it remains only 5 which are still occupied.
Meteors in Greece
Saint Nicolas monastery
Saint Nicolas (Agios Nikolaos) was founded in the XIVth century.
Its small church from the XVIth century is decorated by splendid frescoes made by Theophane the cretish.
Frescos by Theophane the Cretish
Monastery Varlaam
The place is occupied since the XIVth century by a cenobitic Varlaam. The monastery was founded in the XVIth. Its church has very nice frescos.
Roussanou monastery
The Great Meteors
The monastery of the Transfiguration, or Great Meteor, was founded in 1356 by Saint Athanase
Saint Etienne monastery
The monastery Saint Etienne (Agios Stefanos) is a covent founded in the XVth century.
Monastery in ruins
Kalambaka
Cities near Meteors
Lamia
Main square
Trikala
The ancient mosque of Trikala
