Meteora means ‘up in the air’, in Greek. And we don’t think a better name could have been given to this singular oddity. For Meteora is something that is unlike anything you have ever seen before. (ok, maybe in Zhangjiajie, China, but lets not let the truth get in the way of a good story). Heck, one look at these rock formations and you’ll be expecting drogon to come soaring through the sky breathing fire. We kid you not. Literally, everything about Meteora harks back to medieval times. It’s a veritable Game of Thrones-esque setting. And yes, Iceland has n-o-t-h-i-n-g on it!
So what is Meteora? They are a remarkable collection of solid rock formations climbing up the sky like a sore thumb. What’s more remarkable about them is that on top of these gigantic boulders, monks have built monasteries. And they live in them. So yeah, that’s definitely impressive. Out of an estimated 20 monasteries, only 6 survive today. They are in fact still used for their intended purposes and are open to the public, albeit with strict dress codes.
The history of these monasteries came about in the 9th century AD, when a group of monks decided to pursue their solitude by living inside caves. Much later, during the 11th and 12th centuries, the community grew and became a monastic state, not unlike the one found on Mt. Athos.
The monks have developed their own traditions and habits, passed down the centuries from one to another. There is a strong spiritual presence, one suspects, even without the monasteries. The combination of nature and religion is strong, and the sense of tranquility and peace overwhelming.
Majestic Meteora: A Journey to Greece’s Enchanting Monastic Wonder
A trip through this ancient yet mysterious place will replenish your inner spirituality and you may just see things from a different angle. After all, isn’t that the point of living?
