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Visit the Great Meteora to see the WW II display in their museum, the grim religious frescoes in the church, and the stunning view of surrounding stone monoliths
You don’t have to be a religious person to appreciate the amazing monasteries of Meteora in Central Greece. When you reach Kalambaka, at the edge of the Thessalian plane, the mountains take on a distinctly different look. Sheer cliffs of a stunning rock forest soar from the back edge of town to towering heights of over 600 meters. Getting to MeteoraTake the road that winds around these hills, through the village of Kastraki and up to the monasteries. To get the full impact of the impressive pinnacles, plan to walk at least part of the way. In the 12th century, the area became a refuge for hermit monks escaping persecution. Look for the open caves in the sides of the rocks where these monks left remnants of their grim existence. The monasteries are another story. Many of them are built at the top of stone pillars so high, you have to wonder how the first monk actually made it to the top. Originally, they had no stairs. Be sure to look for a souvenir book on Meteora with drawings of monasteries being accessed by a series of ladders lashed together. A rope and basket descends to meet the top of the last ladder. The Great MeteoraThe largest and most famous of the 6 active monasteries is the Great Meteora, or Megalo Meteora. Located at top of the left hand branch of the road, Meteora, like the other monasteries, seems to grow out of the rock it sits on. From the parking lot, take the stairs down through the gulch and up the other side. Since this is an active monastery, there is a dress code. No sleeveless shirts, no shorts and for women, no pants. If you come unprepared, not to worry. Skirts and shirts large enough to slip over your clothes are provided at the door. Exploring the MonasteryWhile you’ll want to take in the impressive view, spend at least a little time in the Museum. The latest display features the war. Fifty some odd years after WW II’s end, the Greeks are finally coming to terms with what it meant to their country. The church, like much of this monastery has been refurbished. The inside walls are covered with frescoes. These are not for the faint of heart since they depict in graphic detail the persecution of early Christians by the Romans. Another must see is the bone room. In Greece, burial space is at a premium, so bodies are buried for only seven years. At the end of this, the body is dug up, the bones cleaned and stored in a small box. Here, though, there is no box. The monks sculls sit lined up on shelves. Brace yourself before you look through the window at the ghoulish crew. On your way out, be sure to pop in to the old kitchen for a look. The stones of the interior are blackened from a thousand cooking fires. From the size of the pots and utensils hanging on the wall, you can see that the monks were used to feeding a crowd. As you make your way back down the stairs, you can’t help but marvel at the perseverance of those early monks. These determined men hauled every stone, every timber and every morsel of food to the top of this mountain by rope and windlass. Now that is amazing.
The copyright of the article Discover Meteora in Greece Travel is owned by Gwendolyn Copeman. Permission to republish Discover Meteora in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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