Some historical structures make us wonder about the strength we possess. Meteora Monasteries are one of them. These structures suspended in the air were built in the 14th century by several monks seeking peace and solidarity. Their only goal was to be closer to God. Even today, these monasteries serve as living proof of humanity’s dedication and power. Whether a visitor is religious or not, these structures in the clouds evoke the presence of divine energy.
The Origin Story: How It All Began?
“Humble men lived suspended for centuries between the heavens and earth, perched on the edge of sharp cliffs, glorifying God, for He made the earth and heavens by His power. They achieved the impossible by building Meteora monasteries.” ~Kostas Chasiotis
The Meteora, situated in the town of Kalambaka, Greece has a history spanning, over 65 million years. According to records human settlements were believed to have existed 50,000 years ago.
Byzantinologists believe that, near the end of the first millennium is when the first hermits must have found shelter in the rocks. These monks, who first arrived, were practicing eremitic monasticism. They rejected a secure life, such as their houses, jobs, and everyday clothes. Their only concern in life was to communicate with God. They withdrew from the world, seeking a place of isolation. The place they sought had to have three main elements: being far from civilization, inaccessible to unwanted interaction, and close to God. Meteora had it all.
It is believed that around the 9th century, these monks climbed the mountains with their bare hands and lived there in caves.
Meteora Through the Ages
By the end of the 14th century, Meteora soon became a refuge centre for all the monks seeking safety from the Turkish invaders who occupied most of the monastic communities. It also attracted a lot of poets and philosophers, sustaining the Hellenic tradition even today. Around the 14th century, 20 monasteries were constructed in the area. Interestingly during that time and up until the 16th century accessing these monasteries was only possible through wooden ladders. It’s truly fascinating how monks managed to live for periods without access to resources or goods.
Unfortunately, during World War II, the monasteries suffered damage and many valuable artifacts were stolen. As a result of abandonment and destruction by invaders over the years only six of the Meteora Monasteries remain today.
These remaining monasteries are known as; The Great Meteora, the Monastery of Varlaam, the Monastery of Rousanou the Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas, the Monastery of the Holy Trinity and the Monastery of St. Stephen.
In 1920 steps were carved into rocks to improve accessibility. This led to an increase in tourist attraction.
Recognizing their value as “heavenly columns ” UNESCO officially designated them as World Heritage sites, in 1988.
The Meteora Monasteries Today
While modern-day tourists can now climb these cliffs step by step, parts of the ancient lifting systems used by the monks are still visible. At the Monastery of Agia Triada, visitors can look at ancient climbing devices once used to transport people and goods up to the lofty buildings. The open-air cable cars that once ferried monks between monasteries still hang between several structures, offering visitors a glimpse into the monks’ historical modes of travel.
Today, Meteora attracts adventurers from around the globe, particularly rock climbers drawn to the natural allure of the monasteries. The sheer cliffs and rugged surfaces present an interesting challenge, with climbers often spotted climbing cliffside temples or following established routes like the “Iron Road” leading to the summit of the Great Saint, Meteora’s tallest peak.
Inside the monasteries, visitors discover a wealth of history and culture. They are the living museums of ancient artwork, ancient construction techniques, religious relics, cliff-top gardens, and intricate decorations depicting Biblical scenes that adorn the walls, alongside fascinating bits and pieces of the monasteries’ past. As a humble reminder of the site’s spiritual past, the Megalo Meteoro Monastery, sometimes called the “Metamorphosis Monastery,” has a cabinet containing the skulls of monks who have passed away.
The Monastery of the Holy Trinity is one of the least visited because climbing its steep 140-step staircase is extremely difficult. It appeared in James Bond’s 1981 film Four Your Eyes Only. However, the monks strongly opposed the violence depicted in the film and forbade movie productions in the Meteroa Monastries.
Despite Meteora’s transformation into one of Greece’s most popular tourist destinations, the monasteries continue to serve their original purpose as places of worship and homes for the monks and nuns who live within its high walls.
The six monasteries are divided by gender, with four for men and two for women, including the Holy Monastery of St. Stephen and the Holy Monastery of Roussanou.
Conclusion: A Legacy in Stone and Spirit
Moreover, the Meteoron Monasteries have had a lasting cultural impact that goes beyond their historical significance. The story of the Monastries is fascinating and a true testament to the human race’s imagination and grit. It proves that with determination and working together, we can achieve incredible achievements that know no bounds. Visiting Meteora on its own restores faith in what we all have inside of us if we think beyond ourselves.
CITATIONS:
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Chasiotis, K. (2022) The Great Meteoron Monastery, Visit Meteora. Available at: https://visitmeteora.travel/the-great-meteoron-monastery/ (Accessed: 04 February 2024).
Kay, J. (2023) Meteora monasteries: A day exploring Ancient Greece, A Passion and A Passport. Available at: https://apassionandapassport.com/meteora-monasteries/ (Accessed: 04 February 2024).
(2024) Meteora, Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteora (Accessed: 04 February 2024).
Serena, K. (2023) The ‘heavenly columns’ of Greece’s meteora monasteries, All That’s Interesting. Available at: https://allthatsinteresting.com/meteora-monasteries (Accessed: 04 February 2024).
blazed, trail (2022) Meteora, Greece: Everything you need to know about the floating monasteries, YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaUuqHW9-Z0&t=396s&ab_channel=TrailBlazed (Accessed: 06 February 2024).
