Meteora

The Greek word Meteora means "suspended in the air", and our words meteorite and meteorology come from the same root. The conglomerate rock at Meteora, Greece, has eroded into fantastic peaks upon which medieval monks built monasteries, several of which are still active. The isolated monasteries of Meteora helped keep alive Greek Orthodox religious traditions and Hellenic culture during the turbulent Middle Ages and Ottoman Turk occupation of Greece (1453-1829). In 1988, UNESCO declared Meteora to be a World Heritage Site.

Tips for Meteora:

* I suggest reading all you can before going - don't rely on a tour guide to give you the depth of perspective necessary to understand the history and the symbols & styles used in the Greek Orthodox Church.
* I suggest visiting monasteries as soon as they open in the morning to avoid the big crowds.
* For photography, I recommend a day or two exploring all the different different angles and possibilities, then be ready for the perfect shot on the next day or two as you experience the ever-changing light. Visit at sunrise & sunset for best photography. Sunset may give the best light since the the cliffs face to the southwest. If you are short on time, rent a car to zip around to the different photo angles as the light changes quickly at sunset. Otherwise, if you have time, walking is the best way to absorb the ambiance of this incredible area.
* I suggest staying anywhere in Kastraki, which is a small town with fascinating architecture, cobbled streets, and closer walking distance to the rock towers & monasteries than the larger town of Kalambaka.
* A few hours drive from Meteora you can hike Mount Olympus, which is culturally very important to Greece. Ascending Mount Olympus is challenging and scenic, with a clean, comfortable overnight dormitory-style hut that serves meals.

Monks at Roussanou Monastery have historically used the pulley system shown here to drawn supplies up from the valley below. Roussanou, built atop a rock pinnacle in 1545, is now a convent.