Meteora Architecture

The monastic community of Meteora, a World Heritage Monument by UNESCO, is strongly associated with the imposing beauty and unique architecture that characterizes the 24 monasteries perched on top of the huge rock formations. The visitor remains ecstatic seeing the enormous rocks from the green valley and the natural beauty. Till present, thousands of visitors have focused their interest in the architecture of Meteora. The monasteries exist since the 11th century that coincides with the presence of the first hermits. Some of them were built during the 14th and 15th century as a way to find a shelter from the Ottoman invasions.

The first monasteries were constructed with mastery and many repair works were made with the passage of time. From the 30 monasteries that witness an important historical background, only seven of them are still active attracting hundreds of visitors and faithful every year leaving the rest in complete abandonment. Due to their prominent location, accessibility was very difficult and monks used nets and a hook which allowed them to climb up or descend. Another method was the rigging-ladders that could reach up to 40 meters.

These days the visitors can access the monasteries using the steps that have been carved in the natural rock formations. Today, the monasteries of Meteora Greece constitute living museums which host a wide selection of precious icons and other treasures from the Byzantine times. Wonderful wall-frescoes with vivid colors to show the expressions in the body and face of the saints, relics and other works made by the monks embellish the interior of the monasteries.

Visitors can enjoy their stay in many of the traditional hotels that have respected the traditional architecture.