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Soaring over the boulders of Meteora is a unique way to enjoy the place

© Vasilis Tsiolis

GREECE ISEDITOR'S PICK

A Balloon Ride over Meteora

A unique way to experience the magnificent rocks of Meteora

Greece Is | May 19th, 2016

A flight by hot air balloon is a childhood dream for many of us. Besides, who hasn’t mentally traversed the African continent in five weeks by balloon, while reading the wondrous adventures in Jules Verne’s novel?

And sometimes dreams come true. We are in an open space, southwest of the town of Kalambaka in the region of Thessaly, central Greece. Looking to the north and east, the huge rocks of Meteora can be made out, standing majestically like timeless monuments between the mountains of Koziakasand Antichasia.

The first thing we learn is that the point of departure of the air balloon will be determined by the direction of the winds. The staff, with quick movements, unroll the cloth which is inflated with hot air; within minutes, it is converted into a giant balloon. The pilot is in place, and everyone boards the basket quickly. The buoyancy of the balloon is so gentle that we are in the air before we even realize it.

“Who hasn’t mentally traversed the African continent in five weeks by balloon, while reading the wondrous adventures in Jules Verne’s novel?”

Meteora at sunset

One of the six monasteries still in operation

Meteora's beautiful rock formations are a magnet for visitors each year

From up high, the houses resemble matchboxes, and the earth is like a painting. Nature is the perfect creator, which is easily realized by the wonderful spectacle that began to unfold before our eyes.

On our left, coming all the way from the depths of the Pindos mountainrange, emerges the river Pinios, snaking its way through the rugged landscape. Ahead lie the ancient and magnificent rocks of Meteora, proudly presiding over everything else, dotted with several monasteries on their peaks. The setting looks like a huge stone city – Meteora is made up of more than800 rocks – and it is not only one of the most admired natural formations in the country, but also one of the greatest centers for Orthodox Christian pilgrimage.

Meteora is, after Mount Athos, the largest continuously inhabited monastic center in Greece. Around 1100 AD, the first hermits climbed the hitherto inaccessible peaks of the rocks and established a monastic outpost. As historical evidence suggests, twenty-four monasteries were built during the 15th century, adding to the earlier settlements. Today, only six monasteries are in operation, drawing several pilgrims each year, especially during Easter. Taking advantage of the privilege of my origin, I have visited Meteora several times. But the unique spectacle that is offered to you, the terrain, the huge rocks and the monasteries hanging precariously from them, is something that you can only experience from high above.

“Meteora is, after Mount Athos, the largest continuously inhabited monastic center in Greece.”

The hot air balloon rises gently over the plains

Drifting north, driven by the light winds blowing in the area, we slowly leave the plains of Thessaly and the giant rocks of Meteora behind us, which are now hued with the early colors of the sunset. The easy flight of the balloon, the freshness of the atmosphere at 4,000 feet, the green forest stretching out from the ground below, and the purple and golden colorsgenerated by the setting sun offered the ultimate sensation of mental and spiritual calm; a feeling of vastness and of purity and peace takes over.

The one hour or so that the flight lasts passes very quickly. As the sun disappears behind Pindos’s peaks, the balloon gently sets us down on the ground. People who happened at that time to be collecting clovers in the fields cheered and approached to greet us. Images, one feels, coming straight out afairy tale.

A flight on a hot air balloon is by itself a magical experience; when combined with the unparalleled views over Meteora, it is simply staggering. The vistas alternate, one after another, offering unparalleled depth, clarity, and calmness; they will remain forever etched in your mind.

“A flight on a hot air balloon is by itself a magical experience; when combined with the unparalleled views over Meteora, it is simply staggering”

INFO

Meteora lies 350 km north of Athens. The journey takes around four hours by car. Alternatively, Kalambaka, the city closest to Meteora, can be reached by train from Athens Railway Station. A return ticket costs around €30. Tickets can be booked online via www.trainose.gr.

Hot air balloon flights over Meteora can be booked via Meteora Flights and start at €180 per person for adults and €100 per child.

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The monasteries at Meteora are built on sandstone rocks. The first monks are believed to have arrived at Meteora during the 11th century.

© Vasilis Tsiolis

GREECE ISMAINLANDEXPERIENCEPLACES

Meteora: Monasteries on the Edge

The trails around the world-renowned rock formations of Greece’s second-largest monastic enclave reveal myriad attractions.

Eleftheria Alavanou | December 12th, 2016

The towering rocks topped by age-old monasteries in Meteora, a UNESCOworld heritage site, make this destination one of Greece’s key tourist attractions. Visitors from both far and near flock to Meteora to marvel at this unique setting.

The first hermits are believed to have arrived during the 11th century; over time, the monastic communities established here evolved into a well-organized set-up. Today, most of the 24 monasteries located here are now abandoned and dilapidated. Just six remain open to the public.

The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron is the largest of all. It was founded in the mid-14th century by St. Athanasios the Meteorites, a scholarly monk from Mount Athos. He was succeeded by Saint Joasaph, a Serbian king who was maternally related to the Palaiologos Byzantine imperial family and who abandoned worldly power to become a monk here at the age of around 22.

WALKS WITH A VIEW

A fantastic trail begins from Kastraki and ends up at Fylakes Kalogeron(meaning the Monks’ Jail), the name given to a gigantic cave situated 60 meters above ground level. Another route passes by the St. Gregory Cloister and the small St. Nicholas Bantova Kofinas Monastery – believed to date back to the mid-14th century and located at an altitude of 370 meters in a gorge between Kalambaka and Kastraki – and is also a splendid option for a walk.

SIX MONASTERIES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Six monasteries in Meteora are open to the public: The Holy Monastery of Rousanou, dedicated to “The Transfiguration”; the Holy Monastery of St. Stephen (Stefanos), easily accessed from the road and featuring a charming stone bridge at its entrance; the Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron, also dedicated to the “Transfiguration” and featuring interesting pieces in its museum of manuscripts; the Monastery of the Holy Trinity, featuring an old church dating back to 1475; the Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas, adorned with very significant post-Byzantine murals; and the Holy Monastery of Varlaam, maintaining a museum within its old refectory and featuring the wooden Chapel of the Three Bishops.

A sisterhood has been based at Aghios Stefanos since 1961 at the most accessible monastery of all in Meteora. Its entrance is connected to the street by a small stone bridge.

© Nikos Kokkas

The Holy Monastery of Varlaam is one of six monasteries open to the public, along with Holy Monasteries of Rousanou, St. Stephen (Stefanos), Great Meteoron, Holy Trinity and St. Nicholas Anapausas.

© Nikos Kokkas

Panoramic view of the Meteora rocks, one of Greece’s most renowned tourism attractions. It draws visitors from all over the world.

© Vasilis Tsiolis

MUSEUMS ARE JUST THE BONUS

In the past, the traditional way to reach these monasteries was either by rope ladder or via a manual hoist system that included netting or an enormous basket. Brief black-and-white footage depicting such endeavors from back in the 1920s still exists. The lives of the monks of Meteora featured in foreign press coverage of the period; the English-language magazine “Travel,” for its November 1916 edition, sported on its front cover a picture of the imposing Meteora buttes and two men on horse-heading uphill. Both the old film footage and the magazine are kept in the Greek Education Museum in nearby Kalambaka. In addition to items linked to Meteora, the museum also exhibits a well-presented collection covering Greek education.

Another exceptional museum worth visiting in Kalambaka is the two-in-oneNatural History Museum of Meteora & Mushrooms Museum. On show are various stuffed animal species – not hunting trophies – including birds such as the western yellow wagtail, the yellow-eyed white snowy owl and the Egyptian vulture, as well as sculpted replicas of actual mushroom types.

Two more museums are expected to open soon in the Kalambaka-Kastraki area below the buttes – one, a geological museum and the other a sort ofmini-planetarium presenting a digital depiction of Meteora.

INFO

Meteora is also a renowned rock-climbing destination that draws visitors from around the world. If you would like to test your abilities in this sport, or indulge in other nature-oriented activities, see www.visitmeteora.travel/en.

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GREECE IS MAINLAND EXPERIENCE PLACES

Meteora: The Monastic Community in the ‘Forest of Rocks’

This monument of nature, with a geological history that dates back millions of years, and religious customs that have endured across 10 centuries underscore the majestic beauty of the landscape and bring spiritual revival.

Eleftheria Alavanou | December 28th, 2016

This panoramic shot of the “Stone Forest” captures the magnificence of this place in its entirety. Meteora, featuring towering sandstone rocks and age-old monasteries and cloisters, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and ranks as a leading tourist attraction, not only for the region of Thessaly but for Greece as a whole. Thousands of tourists visit to admire the unique landscape and get a glimpse into the centuries-old traditions of monastic living. The first monks, primarily solitary individuals, are believed to have arrived at Meteora in the 11th century. Over time, organized communities were established and thrived here for hundreds of years.

The small road leading to the Holy Monastery of Varlaam, photographed from above. This monastery, named after the first monk believed to have lived on the rock during the 14th century, is one of six Meteora monasteries open to the public and undoubtedly one of the most noted. It is estimated to date from the 16th century, when Nektarios and Theofanis Apsarades, two brothers from an old Byzantine family in Epirus, northwestern Greece, settled here, renovating older structures and constructing new ones.

© Nikos Kokkas

Most of the 24 monasteries that were established here over the years are now abandoned, and just six remain open to the public. These are the monasteries of Varlaam; the Great Meteoron; Aghios Stefanos; Rousanou, renowned for a marvellous depiction of the Second Coming; the Holy Trinity, featuring an old church dating back to 1475; and Aghios Nikolaos Anapausas, adorned with very significant post-Byzantine murals. Travelers to Meteora should also make it a point to visit the town of Kalambaka, located directly below the rock complex, where there are two fascinating museums, the Greek Education Museum and the two-in-one Natural History Museum of Meteora and Mushroom Museum.

© Vassilis Tsiolis

Trekking from the square in the village of Kastraki towards Fylakes Monahon, a route that ends at the parking area of the Holy Monastery of Aghios Nikolaos Anapausas parking area. Regarded as one of the loveliest routes, this trail through the forest takes about an hour to cover and has a “medium” degree of difficulty. The climb through the “Stone Forest” of Meteora is an unforgettable experience, offering spectacular views of the towering Meteora rocks, the monasteries and the abandoned cloisters. This path is one of many in the area; there are also trails appropriate for trekkers without experience. However, it is often better to be accompanied by a guide, as not all the routes are marked.

© Nikos Kokkas

The Holy Monastery of Aghios Stefanos, the southernmost of the six Meteora monasteries open to the public, is located above the town of Kalambaka. In contrast to the other monasteries, it is easily accessible, as its entrance is linked to the road by a small stone bridge. The rock on which the monastery stands is believed to have been first inhabited towards the end of the 12th century, while the monastery itself was constructed during the 15th and 16th centuries. An order of nuns well known for their social welfare activities settled this monastery in 1961.

© Nikos Kokkas

There is an atmosphere of devotion at the Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron, the most renowned of all the Meteora monasteries, situated at an altitude of 613 meters. It was founded by St. Athanasios the Meteorite, a scholarly monk from Mt Athos, who began building the monastery in the mid-14th century. It is thought that he was succeeded by Saint Iosaph, maternally related to the Palaiologos Byzantine imperial family, who abandoned worldly power to become a monk here somewhere around the age of 22. In addition to being an impressive structure in its own right, the monastery maintains a number of very interesting exhibition spaces, including a manuscript museum with display items such as a medieval parchment copy of the Four Gospels and a very old publication containing the works of Plato.

© Nikos Kokkas

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METEORA - SIX MONASTERIES ON THE ROCKS

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METEORA: The Historical Alien Site of Greece | Meteora Travel Guide

GRRRLTRAVELER | Christine Kaaloa

Published on Jun 19, 2015

Meteora. I used to think that Meteora was a Linkin Park song, until I visited it. One of Greece's best kept secrets, Meteora has an alien-like landscape. It's been the inspiration for set locations for James Bond and Game of Thrones, but due to the monastic order and their hope to preserve peace, on location filming has been thwarted. this is my Meteora Travel Guide. Things to Know before you Go:http://grrrltraveler.com/things-to-kn...

Mystical Meteora: http://grrrltraveler.com/europe/greec...

duration 03:56 minutes

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X51TapkLpFE

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Meteora , Greece -My Dji phantom 3 professional 4K

KFIR FATCHI

Published on Aug 8, 2015

Aerial video

Video Editing: Kfir Fatchi

duration 02:21 minutes

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHWqC6dyo4k

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Tourist attractions - Christian tourism in Europe: Meteora, Greece

Eirini Greece

Published on Dec 16, 2015

The Metéora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List .

The Metéora, literally "middle of the sky", "suspended in the air" or "in the heavens above", is one of the largest and most important complexes of Greek Orthodox monasteries in Greece.

Caves in the vicinity of Metéora were inhabited continuously between 50,000 and 5,000 years ago. The oldest known example of a man-made structure, a stone wall that blocked two-thirds of the entrance to the Theopetra Cave, was constructed 23,000 years ago, probably as a barrier against cold winds – the Earth was experiencing an ice age at the time – and many Paleolithic and Neolithic artifacts have been found within the caves.

In the 9th century AD, an ascetic group of hermit monks moved up to the ancient pinnacles; they were the first people to inhabit Metéora since the Neolithic Era.

The exact date of the establishment of the monasteries is unknown, but by the end of the 12th century, an ascetic community had flocked to Metéora.

NOTE: I do not own the copyrights of the video. This video was made by a Japanese film maker. You can watch the original version of the video on his web page: http://tkysstd.com/wp/?p=7720

duration 03:37 minutes

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaMnOk5VZag

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Meteora, Greece in 4K (Ultra HD)

Amazing Places on Our Planet

Published on Jun 11, 2015

Medieval Greek Orthodox monasteries, built on top of stunning sandstone peaks.

Meteora is on the UNESCO World Heritage List: "'Suspended in the air' (the meaning of Meteora in Greek), these monasteries represent a unique artistic achievement and are one of the most powerful examples of the architectural transformation of a site into a place of retreat, meditation and prayer."

In the video: Town of Kalambaka (0:04, 7:31), Byzantine Church of Virgin Mary (0:28), St. Nikolas Anapafsas Monastery (1:22), Varlaam Monastery (1:59, 4:19), Great Meteoron Monastery / Megalo Meteoro (3:47), Roussanou Monastery (2:42, 4:32, 4:59, 8:14), St. Stephen's Monastery/Agios Stefanos (6:24), Holy Trinity Monastery/Agia Trias (6:13, 6:56), Panagios Valley - St Nicholas (Badovas) Monastery (8:40), Agios Antonios Monastery (8:59), Ypapanti Monastery (10:06), Kastraki village (0:40, 9:31, 10:44).

Recorded May 2015 in 4K (Ultra HD) with Sony AX100. Edited with Adobe Premiere Pro CC.

Music:

zero-project - Untold stories of a dying moon - 06 - Moonlight No 2

zero-project - Autumn prelude - 02 - Autumn prelude

zero-project (www.zero-project.gr), licensed under the "Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License":

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duration 10:52 minutes

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQpp6Afg-Mg

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Meteora - Greece

Travel And Discover

Published on Jun 5, 2014

The Metéora is one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece, second only to Mount Athos The six monasteries are built on natural sandstone rock pillars, at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains, in central Greece. The nearest town is Kalambaka. The Metéora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

duration 13:24 minutes

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF0UDxyPiEk&t=18s

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Meteora monasteries "middle of the sky" Metéora (Greek: Μετέωρα) Drone Aerial Video : Greece

World&Drone

Published on Jun 26, 2016

Meteora monasteries - The Metéora (Greek: Μετέωρα, pronounced [mɛˈtɛoɾɐ], literally "middle of the sky", "suspended in the air" or "in the heavens above" — etymologically related to meteorology) is one of the most spectacular and unique rock formations in the world. Immense monolithic pillars and hills like huge rounded boulders dominate the local area.

It is also associated with one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece, second in importance only to Mount Athos. The six monasteries are built on natural sandstone rock pillars, at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains, in central Greece.

Metéora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List under criteria I, II, IV, V and VII. The nearest town is Kalambaka.

Ancient History

The cave of Theopetra is located 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from Kalambaka. Its uniqueness from an archeological perspective is that in it contains, within a single site, the records of two greatly significant cultural transitions: The replacement of Neanderthals by modern humans, and the later transition from hunter-gathering to farming after the end of the last Ice Age. The cave consists of an immense 500 square metres (5,400 sq ft) rectangular chamber at the foot of a limestone hill, which rises to the northeast above the village of Theopetra, with an entrance 17 metres (56 ft) wide by 3 metres (9.8 ft) high. It lies at the foot of the Chasia mountain range, which forms the natural boundary between Thessaly and Macedonia prefectures, while the Lithaios River, a tributary of the Pineios River, flows in front of the cave. The small Lithaios River flowing literally on the doorsteps of the cave meant that cave dwellers had always easy access to fresh, clean water without the need to cover daily long distances to find it.[8] Excavations and research and have discovered petrified diatoms, which have contributed to understanding the Palaeo-climate and climate changes. Radiocarbon dating evidences human presence dating back 50,000 years.[6] The cave is open to the public.

List of Monasteries

All of these monasteries are located at Metéora in Greece, and most are perched on high cliffs and now accessible by staircases cut into the rock formations. They were created to serve monks and nuns following the teachings of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Much of the architecture of these buildings is Athonite[13] in origin. Of the six intact monasteries, the Holy Monastery of St. Stephen and Monastery Roussanou are inhabited by nuns.

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duration 17:33 minutes

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Meteora from the Air

Matador Network

Published on Dec 9, 2014Ever heard of Meteora? Ever wanted to visit it? You will now.

Come along with MatadorU student and filmmaker Max Seigal as you take a bird's eye view tour of one of Greece's most iconic landscapes.

Filmed by Max Seigal

www.maxwilderness.com

www.seagullaerial.com

Find more great content at http://www.matadornetwork.com

duration 02:50 minutes

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb_8zFYmYWc

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Meteora Greece - Suspended in Air

Elia Locardi

Published on Dec 16, 2015

I put this aerial drone video together to display the phenomenal beauty of Meteora Greece during the fall from a perspective that few people have ever seen before.

This video was shot entirely using the DJI Inspire Pro Drone, the new X5 Micro 4/3 Camera and MFT 15mm f/1.7 Lens. Editing and color grading was done using Adobe Premiere Pro.

Meteora holds a very special place in my heart since it was one of the first places I visited back in 2010 when I was aggressively trying to build my travel photography portfolio. I knew it would be the perfect location to put my new DJI X5 Camera to good use.

For more info, photos, and videos, visit: www.elialocardi.com

duration 03:15 minutes

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_aeFn27_a8

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Hot air balloon flight over Meteora

zampination

Published on Jul 28, 2015

Videography of an amazing flight over the famous Meteora rocks in kalambaka, Trikala, central Greece

Soundtrack: Baby Alpaca - Sea of dreams (Turbotito Remix)

https://soundcloud.com/turbotito/baby...

Shot on the SONY a5100 with the kit lens and the Gopro hero3 on a dji phantom

duration 05:21 minutes

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM-dekp1WeM

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Journey through Ancient Greece

The Monasteries of the Meteora

If this is your first visit here I can guarantee you will not be disappointed; the scenery is unlike anywhere else you have seen: strange, smooth, dark grey pinnacles of rock rising up vertically towards the sky everywhere you look, and then, on closer inspection, you can make out buildings perched precariously up on the tip of some of the highest pinnacles. These are the monasteries known as the meteora (meteora means 'in the air'), built in the 14th and 15th centuries to house the growing number of hermits or anchorites who were living here.

There are no fewer than sixty pinnacles, some stubby and smooth, some towering to heights of 400 metres, and many with large round holes looking like the surface of the moon. These phenomena were caused some twenty five million years ago when erosion by rivers washed away the limestone leaving behind the harder sandstone.

In the late 10th century they began to attract men who wanted to get away from it all and came to live in the many caves in the rocks. They were following the example of the 5th century St. Simeon Stylites who spent 36 years perched 25 metres above ground on a column. In 1336 Abbot Gregorios and Athanasios, one of his monks, came here from Mount Athos; shortly after Gregorios went back to Athos leaving Athanasios with instructions to build a monastery. By 1372 nine monks were living in the Grand Metoron (Megalo Metoro); no-one knows how it, or any of the 23 other monasteries which followed, were built. Probably Athanasios didn't fly up on the back of an eagle as legend has it, but bearing in mind there were no roads then and the climbs are classed as 'advanced' even with modern mountaineering equipment the achievement does seem nothing short of miraculous.

Cut off from the outside world by vertiginous cliffs and chasms the monasteries were reached by wooden ladders up to 40 metres long which were withdrawn at night, or in a net or basket on the end of a rope pulled up with a windlass. Nowadays, you will be relieved to hear, we can go up in the coach and reach the monasteries by footbridges and steps cut into the rocks.

In 1388 Joasph Uros refused the throne of Serbia to become a monk at the Grand Metoron endowing the monastery with riches and fabulous works of Byzantine art, attracting some of the best artists of their day, many, including the monk Theophanos, from the Cretan School.

The monasteries thrived through the 15th and 16th centuries and were still active in the 18th century after which monasticism began to decline throughout Greece.

All the monasteries suffered damage from bombing in the Second World War and many treasures were pillaged. Their survival has been assured by the advent of mass tourism and whilst the dozens of coaches at the biggest monasteries inevitably destroy any illusion of monastic seclusion these are still pretty wonderful places to visit.

Today six monasteries and convents are occupied but only two of these are primarily religious houses, Ayos Stefanos and Aya Triada (Holy Trinity), the others are essentially tourist sites. We should have time to visit three of these - probably the Grand Metoron, Varlaam and Ay Stefnos.

The first monastery on the hill up from Kastrki is Ayos Nikalaos, a small monastery established in the 14th century. with superb paintings by Theophanos in the 16th century church. Because of the rock shape this monastery faces due north rather than the usual east.

Further up and round many bends is the tiny convent of Roussanou,or Aya Barbara built in the 14th century with its walls taken to the edge of the rock on all sides! Originally it would have been occupied by monks as no women were allowed in the Metora. The chapel has some gruesome 16th century paintings. We get a lovely view of the convent on our way back down.

Up more winding road, the view ever more breathtaking, we come to a junction. The left turn takes us to the two biggest (and busiest) monasteries. The first of these, on a 373 metre peak, is Varlaamwhich is reached today by a footbridge and 150 steps, there are remains of the vrizoni or winch tower which until the 1920's was the only access.

The monastery was built on the site of the hermitage of Ay. Varlam in 1517 by two wealthy brothers from Ionnina who came here soon after Athansios. Legend has it that it took 22 years to gather the material for the katholikn and only 20 days to build it in 1542!

In the katholikn are painted beams and superb frescoes from 1548, by Frango Kastellano, including in the narthex the Last Judgement, the Life of John the Baptist and in the domes the Ascension and a Pantokrator

In the refectory are fabulous gold embroidered vestmentsand a Gospel dating from 960, and in the storeroom is a wine press and an enormous barrel, two metres diameter, which can hold 12,000 litres.

Going on from Varlam we come to the Grand Meteoron (the Transfiguration)), the highest of all at 615 metres above sea level; we climb 115 steps down and 220 up to enter the monastery, passing on the way the cave where Athansios lived. Access to the monastery was by rope and net and we can see it still hanging from the vrizonitower; today it is used only for supplies, not people, and the mechanism is electric. There is also a bucket on a cable slung across the chasm also used for supplies. There is a stunning view of Varlam from here.

The katholikon is particularly fine, some say the finest in the Meteora; based on the churches of Mount Athos it is a cross-in-square, with a lofty dome supported by columns and beams, originally built in 1383 and enlarged in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Athansios and Joasph are buried in the narthex. The iconostasis has some superb icons. The 16th century frescoes, probably by Theophanos, depict grisly martyrdoms. Also decidedly grisly is the display of skulls in the ossuary! We can also visit the vaulted refectory where there are more icons and the domed kitchens which are arranged as if they had just been left; there are two huge barrels here.

If we now turn back and go straight on at the junction we will come to two more monasteries. First is Ayias Triados (Holy Trinity) where according to legend it took 70 years to get all the materials to the site. Here again there is a winching system, access today is via 130 steps and a tunnel. The monastery, which was built in 1438, was restored in the 1980's. There are magnificent frescoes in the katholikon and some splendid icons. Four monks still live here.

The last monastery is Ay. Stefanos which we reach now by a narrow stone bridge which crosses the ravine. There are no steps! The nuns who live here will offer you skirts and wraps to cover bare legs or trousers, and try to sell you souvenirs. The monastery was built in the late 15th century on the site of a 12th century hermitage. The refectory, which has brick domes, is now a museum with lovely embroidered vestments (C18/19th), altar silver, an ebony and ivory bishop's throne, C17/18th icons and a 6th century manuscript, and others from the 10th - 17th centuries; there is also a dictionaryfrom 1499. The frescoes in the 18th century church are newly restored; those in the 15th century chapel are badly damaged. Last year these were being restored. There is a pretty rose garden with box hedges and a superb view over the plain and Kalambaka. Down the steps in the garden are loos a la Turque!

Note: The dates for these monasteries and the heights of the pinnacles differ in almost every guide book, usually only by a year or two, but in some cases by centuries! In most cases I have used information from a Greek guide which may or may not be any more accurate; maybe it doesn't really matter.

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