The Meteora Monasteries are among the most striking landmarks in Greece. The name comes from the Greek "Meteora" (Μετέωρα), literally meaning "hanging in the air," which perfectly describes these six remarkable Greek Orthodox monasteries. The sandy peak was first inhabited by Byzantine hermits in the 11th century, who climbed to the top of the cliff to be alone with God. The present monasteries were built in the 14th and 15th centuries, during a time of instability and a revival of hermit ideals. The grandeur of this place and its natural safety from raids by robbers and bandits allowed for the creation over time of a large, organized monastic community with numerous monasteries, which grew and strengthened with the help of numerous gifts and contributions. The first monasteries of Great Meteora (Megaloou Meteorou) were founded in 1340, and by 1500 their number had grown to 24. They flourished until the 17th century, but only six of them survive to this day.
The nearest large settlement, Kalambaka (from the Turkish word for "summit"), located at the foot of Meteora, has all the necessary facilities to accommodate overnight guests. A day trip from Athens is also a popular and easy way to visit these sites. To visit all six monasteries in one day without rushing, it is recommended to start with the monasteries of Agios Nikolaos (Ayiou Nikolaou Anapavsa), Varlaam, and Great Meteora (Great Meteoron), before lunchtime (from 1:00 PM), when the monasteries close to visitors. Then, head to St. Roussanou, the Holy Trinity Monastery (Ayias Triadhos), and St. Stephanie (Ayiou Stefanou) after lunch.
All monasteries have a strict dress code: shoulders must be covered, men must wear long trousers, and women must wear long skirts.
Based on materials from https://www.grekomania.ru/places/meteora
The Meteora Monasteries are among the most striking landmarks in Greece. The name comes from the Greek "Meteora" (Μετέωρα), literally meaning "hanging in the air," which perfectly describes these six remarkable Greek Orthodox monasteries. The sandy peak was first inhabited by Byzantine hermits in the 11th century, who climbed to the top of the cliff to be alone with God. The present monasteries were built in the 14th and 15th centuries, during a time of instability and a revival of hermit ideals. The grandeur of this place and its natural safety from raids by robbers and bandits allowed for the creation over time of a large, organized monastic community with numerous monasteries, which grew and strengthened with the help of numerous gifts and contributions. The first monasteries of Great Meteora (Megaloou Meteorou) were founded in 1340, and by 1500 their number had grown to 24. They flourished until the 17th century, but only six of them survive to this day.
The nearest large settlement, Kalambaka (from the Turkish word for "summit"), located at the foot of Meteora, has all the necessary facilities to accommodate overnight guests. A day trip from Athens is also a popular and easy way to visit these sites. To visit all six monasteries in one day without rushing, it is recommended to start with the monasteries of Agios Nikolaos (Ayiou Nikolaou Anapavsa), Varlaam, and Great Meteora (Great Meteoron), before lunchtime (from 1:00 PM), when the monasteries close to visitors. Then, head to St. Roussanou, the Holy Trinity Monastery (Ayias Triadhos), and St. Stephanie (Ayiou Stefanou) after lunch.
All monasteries have a strict dress code: shoulders must be covered, men must wear long trousers, and women must wear long skirts.
Based on materials from https://www.grekomania.ru/places/meteora