The Place
Monasteries in the Sky
The word Meteora means "suspended in the air" — and the name is entirely apt. Twenty-four monasteries were built atop these extraordinary rock formations between the 14th and 16th centuries, accessible originally only by rope ladders and nets. Six remain active today, inhabited by monks and nuns who maintain a centuries-old tradition of Orthodox Christian contemplation.
The landscape itself is geological theatre: the pillars were formed over 60 million years as river sediment compressed and eroded, leaving these improbable towers standing against the sky.
Visiting
What to Expect
The six open monasteries — including the Great Meteoron, Varlaam, and Roussanou — are open to visitors, though modest dress is required. The views from the monastery terraces are among the most dramatic in all of Greece.
The nearest town is Kalambaka, a pleasant base with good hotels and restaurants. The best light for photography is at dawn and dusk, when mist often fills the valleys between the pillars.