In the interior of mainland Greece, hidden among the mountainous landscapes of Thessaly, lies Meteora, a magical and surreal place that enchants visitors from around the world. Famous for its ancient monasteries built on towering rock formations, Meteora is a destination that seems to leap from the pages of a mythological tale.
Arriving at the village of Kalambaka, the starting point for exploring the area, is a joy in itself: the journey from Thessaloniki provides beautiful vistas that prepare you for the extraordinary scenery that awaits.
The first step was to reach the plateau to view the monasteries from above and admire the unique landscape. Next, my friends and I visited some of the monasteries, which for students had free admission.
Meteora is home to six monasteries that are still active, of which the most famous and accessible are the Great Meteor and Varlaam Monastery. Each has its own distinctive history and architecture, but they all share the same incredible feature: they are perched on vertiginous rocky pinnacles in a perfect fusion of human ingenuity and natural beauty.
We visited two monasteries: Varlaan Monastery and Great Meteora.
Great Meteora is the largest and oldest monastery in Meteora, founded in the 14th century. Access is relatively easy thanks to a modern staircase, but you can still see the nets that were once used to climb up and down. Inside the Great Meteor you can visit ancient rooms and admire well-preserved medieval frescoes.
Varlaam Monastery, the second largest, also offers stunningly beautiful frescoes and a breathtaking view of the valley below. Legend has it that the monk Varlaam built the first hermitage on this rock, before being followed by other monks who erected the present monastery in the 16th century. Varlaam Monastery also has a large courtyard, decorated with olive trees and colorful flowers.
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