Meteora

Meteora is a rock formation in north-western Greece, hosting one of the most prominent complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, viewed locally as second in importance only to Mount Athos. Their height is more than 20 metres. Twenty-four monasteries were established atop the giant natural pillars and hill-like rounded boulders that dominate the local area, mainly from the second half of the 14th century. As of December 2025, four of the original monasteries were occupied, in active use as monasteries that are managed by monks, and open to visitors: the monasteries of Great Meteoron (est. 1356), Varlaam, Holy Trinity, and Saint Stephen - the latter became a convent run by a community of nuns in 1961. Meteora is located between the town of Kalabaka and the village of Kastraki, near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains. The Meteora complex was added to the UNESCAO World Heritage List in 1988 because of its outstanding architecture and beauty, combined with religious and cultural significance. What follows are some scenes from the churches with Iconostasis and other Icons, some of which are quite old, all photos taken by a recent visitor to Meteora. (Click to enlarge)