Meteora means 'suspended in the air'. In the earliest days, hermits lived in the caves. Over time many simple monasteries were built and now there are 6 main ones of the Eastern Orthodox tradition. They are built on natural sandstone formations on the edge of the Thessaly Plain near Kalampaka. Of course this means that at one time this area was under water...there is a huge valley near here that once was a massive lake.
An amazing collection of formations on which many Eastern Orthodox chapels/monasteries sit. This is Grand Meteora flowing over 2 huge formations. You need to cross over and then back up stairs, more bridges. At one time a basket was lowered to bring up supplies and the monks would have to climb a rope.
Meteora means 'suspended in the air'. In the earliest days, hermits lived in the caves. Over time many simple monasteries were built and now there are 6 main ones of the Eastern Orthodox tradition. They are built on natural sandstone formations on the edge of the Thessaly Plain near Kalampaka. Of course this means that at one time this area was under water...there is a huge valley near here that once was a massive lake.
An amazing collection of formations on which many Eastern Orthodox chapels/monasteries sit. This is Grand Meteora flowing over 2 huge formations. You need to cross over and then back up stairs, more bridges. At one time a basket was lowered to bring up supplies and the monks would have to climb a rope.
The double eagle shape--facing west and east, symbolizing the Roman Empire to the west and the Ottoman Empire to the east.
Inside Grand Meteora's chapel.
Twilight
This is fascinating! Can you imagine being a monk / nun and living right on the edge of the rock? To be that isolated - that vulnerable - drifting up there in the sky like a cloud. Wow! I can just see it with those monks climbing up the ropes to get there. Obviously they didn't come down that often. Talk about being isolated from the world.
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