After Mount Athos, Meteora is the second largest monastic center in Greece.  In the 11th century, a small group of ascetics and hermit monks, called Meteorites, made their way to this area seeking spiritual reflection and solitude. 

Like a bird’s nest, monks built their homes and lived in caves and fissures in the steep cliffs, some as high as 1,900 feet.  They rock climbed and also used long hand-made ladders, which could be hauled up if they ever felt threatened.  

In the 12th century, area hermit monks established a central chapel and formed the Skete of Doupiani (what we might today call an RMO – a resident monk association).

That chapel, the Church of Theotokos (Virgin Mary) is the oldest Meteora monument; it still stands today. For several centuries, hermit monks would leave their caves on Sundays and meet for prayer and important Feasts.  I bet it was nice to have a little fellowship after a week of isolation.

By the 14th century, the Byzantine Empire was under attack by Turkish incursions.  As the Ottomans conquered region after region and persecuted Christians well into the 15th century, fleeing monks continued to find a safe haven up in the rocks.  Even before Meteora was protected by Greek law as a sacred place, it was well known as a holy place of refuge.

Above and below:  The caves and Hermitage of St. Gregory.  

You can still see evidence of caves, with ladders left behind, all over Meteora where former hermits lived as recently as the 1900s.

Are you curious like me?  How did they survive, especially in the winters? Did they get lonely?  Did any monks ever fall and get hurt, or worse?  Where did they go to the bathroom?  How and what did they eat?  I’m guessing no one ever said, “I’ll be right back.  I’m running out for milk and bread.” 

Early on, Meteora was simply a wilderness of rock pillars.  There were no roads, villages or houses, and monks didn’t even want pathways, which led to their caves, to be visible.  Access to where they lived was deliberately difficult. 

During a period of peace in the 1920s, (900 years after the first monks arrived), convenient roads were built from the town of Kalambaka to monastery sites.  Pathways became rock walkways, and steps were chiseled into rocks for somewhat easier access.  

Look up!  The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron is perched cliff-top!

The earliest monastery was established by St. Athanasios, a monk from Mount Athos in Halkidiki who was fleeing Turkish pirates.  He was the first to climb the steep pillar known as “broad rock” in 1343.  He built a few cells in caves, created a chapel, and then constructed a small hermitage. 

The cave where he lived can still be seen today near the entrance to what evolved into his vision:  the largest monastery on the highest peak – the Great Meteoron Monastery.

Facing danger and persecution, monks kept climbing to higher rock pillars using ropes, stakes, and primitive ladders.  By the 15th century, a total of 26 monasteries and 15 hermitages had been established.  Most were funded by Byzantine emperors, then constructed and managed by ascetic monks. 

Of the 26 monasteries, only six monasteries (two of which are run by nuns) still exist and can be visited in Meteora today.  They are:

• St. Nicholas Anapausas Holy Monastery
• Great Meteoron Holy Monastery (or Transfiguration)
• Varlaam Holy Monastery (All Saints)
• Rousanou Holy Monastery
• St. Stephen Holy Monastery
• Holy Trinity Monastery