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{{Short description|Rock formations and monasteries in Thessaly, Greece}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{for-multi|the municipality|Meteora (municipality)|other uses|Meteora (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox historic site
| name = Meteora
| native_name = Μετέωρα
| native_language = el
| image = Meteora's monastery 2.jpg
| caption = Landscape of Meteora
| locmapin = Greece
| coordinates           = {{Coord|39|42|51|N|21|37|52|E|type:mountain_region:R-E|display=inline,title|name=Meteora}}
| map_caption = Location in Greece
| location = [[Trikala (regional unit)|Trikala]], [[Thessaly]], Greece
| area = [[Thessaly]]
| built =
| architect =
| architecture =
| governing_body =
| owner =
| designation1          = WHS
| designation1_offname  = Meteora
| designation1_date     = 1988 (12th [[World Heritage Committee|session]])
| designation1_number   = [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/455 455]
| designation1_criteria = i, ii, iv, v, vii
| designation1_type     = Cultural
| designation1_free1name = Region
| designation1_free1value = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Europe|Europe]]
}}
{{GeoGroup}}
[[File:Μετεωρα by night.jpg|thumb|Meteora by night]]

The '''Meteora''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|m|ɛ|t|i|ˈ|ɔːr|ə}};<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/Meteora |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829205149/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/Meteora |archive-date=29 August 2017 |title=Meteora |website=Oxford Living Dictionaries}}</ref> {{langx|el|Μετέωρα}}, {{IPA|el|meˈteora|pron}}) is a [[rock formation]] in the regional unit of [[Trikala]], in [[Thessaly]], in northwestern [[Greece]], hosting one of the most prominent complexes of [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] [[monastery|monasteries]], viewed locally as second in importance only to [[Mount Athos]]. Their height is more than 20m.<ref name="meteora">Sofianos, D.Z.: "Metéora". Holy Monastery of Great Meteoro, 1991.</ref> 

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 under the local rule of [[Simeon Uroš]].<ref name="Radiocarbon" />{{R|Savvides|p=414-415}} Six of these are still active and open to visitors: the monasteries of [[Monastery of Great Meteoron|Great Meteoron]] (est. 1356), [[Monastery of Varlaam|Varlaam]], [[Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas|Saint Nicholas Anapausas]], [[Monastery of Rousanou|Rousanou]], [[Monastery of the Holy Trinity, Meteora|Holy Trinity]], and [[Monastery of Saint Stephen (Meteora)|Saint Stephen]]. The latter became a community of [[nun]]s in 1961, whereas the former five remain managed by [[monk]]s.

Meteora is located in between the town of [[Kalabaka]] and the village of [[Kastraki, Trikala|Kastraki]] at the northwestern edge of the [[Thessaly|Plain of Thessaly]] near the [[Pineios (Thessaly)|Pineios]] river and [[Pindus|Pindus Mountains]].<ref>Nicol, Donald MacGillivray. Meteora : The Rock Monasteries of Thessaly by Donald M Nicol. Chapman and Hall, 1963. EBSCOhost, search-ebscohost-com.holycross.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat06787a&AN=chc.b1193287&site=eds-live&scope=site. p. 1-2</ref> The Meteora complex was added to the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage List]] in 1988 because of its outstanding architecture and beauty, combined with religious and cultural significance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/455 |title=Meteora |publisher=Unesco World Heritage Centre| access-date=29 October 2022}}</ref> 

The name means "lofty", "elevated", and is etymologically related to ''[[meteor]]''.<ref name="Holland2012">{{cite book|author=Henry Holland|title=Travels in the Ionian Isles, Albania, Thessaly, Macedonia, Etc.: During the Years 1812 and 1813|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1C4ZEuJtkkMC&pg=PA241|date=7 June 2012|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-108-05044-9|pages=241–}}</ref>

==Geology==
Beside the [[Pindos Mountains]], in the western region of [[Thessaly]], these unique and enormous columns of rock rise precipitously from the ground. But their unusual form is not easy to explain geologically. They are not [[volcanic plugs]] of hard igneous rock typical elsewhere, but the rocks are composed of a mixture of [[sandstone]] and [[Conglomerate (geology)|conglomerate]].<ref name=Rassios2020 />{{rp|page=5}}

The conglomerate was formed of deposits of stone, sand, and mud from streams flowing into a delta at the edge of a lake, over millions of years. About 60 million years ago during the [[Paleogene period]]<ref name="Meteora - Greece">{{cite web|url=https://www.meteora-greece.com/general-info-about-meteora/ |title=General info about Meteora |website=Meteora-Greece com}}</ref> a series of earth movements pushed the [[seabed]] upward, creating a high [[plateau]] and causing many vertical [[fault lines]] in the thick layer of sandstone. The huge rock pillars were then formed by [[weathering]] by water, wind, and extremes of temperature on the vertical faults. It is unusual that this conglomerate formation and type of weathering are confined to a relatively localised area within the surrounding mountain formation. The complex is referred to an exhumed continental remnant of [[Pangaea|Pangean]] association.<ref name=Rassios2020 />{{clarify|date=November 2024}}

This type of rock formation and weathering process has happened in many other places locally and throughout the world, but what makes Meteora's appearance special is the uniformity of the sedimentary rock constituents deposited over millions of years leaving few signs of vertical layering, and the localised abrupt vertical weathering.

[[Excavations]] and research have discovered [[petrified]] [[diatoms]] in [[Theopetra Cave]], which have contributed to understanding the Palaeo-climate and [[Climate change (general concept)|climate change]]s. [[Radiocarbon dating]] evidences human presence dating back 50,000 years.<ref name="Radiocarbon" /> The cave used to be open to the public, but is currently closed indefinitely, for safety inspections.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.visitmeteora.travel/cave-of-theopetra-closed/|title=Cave of Theopetra will remain closed – VisitMeteora.travel|date=30 June 2016}}</ref>

Vegetation grows thickly out of the vertical rock walls, mainly due to the water that one is able to find in the cracks and crevices that scale the cliff.<ref name=Rassios2020>{{cite journal | last1=Rassios | first1=Anne Ewing | last2=Ghikas | first2=Dina | last3=Dilek | first3=Yildirim | last4=Vamvaka | first4=Agni | last5=Batsi | first5=Anna | last6=Koutsovitis | first6=Petros | title=Meteora: a Billion Years of Geological History in Greece to Create a World Heritage Site | journal=Geoheritage | publisher=Springer Science and Business Media LLC | volume=12 | issue=4 | date=28 September 2020 | page=83 | issn=1867-2477 | doi=10.1007/s12371-020-00509-9| bibcode=2020Geohe..12...83R | s2cid=221986191 }}</ref>{{rp|page=11}} Over the past several hundred years, the reports that the Meteora was easily accessible by foot have changed because now one must pass through an impenetrable jungle.<ref name=Rassios2020 />{{rp|page=13}}

Being such massive unpredictable rock pillars, rock falls pose a constant threat to [[pilgrim]]s and tourists of Meteora. An earthquake of magnitude 7 on the [[Richter magnitude scale|Richter Scale]] shook the rocks in 1954 but the thin pillars still stand today. In 2005, a massive rock fell, closing the access road leading up to Meteora for days.<ref name=Rassios2020 />{{rp|page=14}}

==History==
===Archaeology===
{{See also|Theopetra Cave}}
[[Theopetra Cave]] is located {{convert|4|km}} from [[Kalambaka]]. Its uniqueness from an archeological perspective is that a single site contains records of two greatly significant cultural transitions: the replacement of [[Neanderthals]] by modern humans and later, the transition from hunting-gathering to farming after the end of the last [[Last glacial period|Ice Age]]. The cave consists of an immense {{convert|500|m2}} rectangular chamber at the foot of a limestone hill, which rises to the northeast above the village of Theopetra, with an entrance {{convert|17|m}} wide by {{convert|3|m}} high. It lies at the foot of the Chasia mountain range, which forms the natural boundary between Thessaly and [[Macedonia (Greece)|Macedonia]] regions, while the Lithaios River, a tributary of the [[Pineios River (Thessaly)|Pineios River]], flows in front of the cave. The small Lithaios River flowing literally on the doorsteps of the cave meant that cave dwellers always had easy access to fresh, clean water without the need to cover daily long distances to find it.<ref>[http://www.visitmeteora.travel/what-to-see/theopetras-prehistoric-cave Theopetra's Prehistoric Cave] from Visit Meteora Travel. Retrieved 26, Jul 2013.</ref>

===Ancient history===
Caves in the vicinity of Meteora were inhabited continuously between 50,000 and 5,000 years ago. The oldest known example of a built 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 (Earth was experiencing an [[ice age]] at the time), and many [[paleolithic]] and [[neolithic]] artifacts of human occupation have been found within the caves.<ref name="Radiocarbon">Y. Facorellis, N. Kyparissi-Apostolika and Y. Maniatis 2001 The cave of Theopetra, Kalambaka: radiocarbon evidence f ''Radiocarbon'' '''43''' (2B): 1029–48</ref><ref>[http://www.reviewhype.com/viral/oldest-known-man-made-structure-found-in-greece] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206004238/http://www.reviewhype.com/viral/oldest-known-man-made-structure-found-in-greece|date=6 December 2014}}</ref>

Meteora is not mentioned in classical [[Greek mythology|Greek myths]], nor in [[Ancient Greek literature]]. The first people who were documented to inhabit Meteora after the [[Neolithic Era]] were an [[asceticism|ascetic]] group of [[hermit]] monks who, in the 800s CE, moved up to the ancient [[pinnacle]]s. They lived in [[wikt:hollow|hollows]] and [[fissures]] in the rock towers, some of them as high as 1800&nbsp;ft (550m) above the plain. This great height, combined with the sheerness of the cliff walls, kept away all but the most determined visitors. Initially, the hermits led a life of solitude, meeting only on Sundays and special days, to worship and pray in a chapel built at the foot of a rock known as [[Dupiani]].<ref name="meteora"/>

As early as the eleventh century, monks occupied the caverns of Meteora. However, monasteries were not built there until the 1300s, when the monks sought somewhere to hide in the face of an increasing number of attacks by the Turks upon [[Greece]].<ref name=":4"/><ref name=":5">"[https://www.kalampaka.com/en/meteora-monasteries/monastery-of-saint-nicholas-anapafsas/ Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas Anapafsas]." ''Kalampaka.com'', 10 July 2016.</ref> At this time, access to the top was via removable ladders or hoisting ropes. Currently, getting up there is much simpler, due to steps having been carved-into the rock during the 1920s. Of the 24 monasteries, only six (four of men, two of women) are still functioning, with each housing fewer than ten individuals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meteora |url=https://www.beautifulworld.com/europe/greece/meteora/ |access-date=2016-09-27 |website=www.beautifulworld.com}}</ref>

===History and construction of the monasteries===
The exact date of the establishment of the monasteries is widely believed to be unknown. However, there are clues to when each of the monasteries was constructed. By the late eleventh century and early 1100s, a rudimentary monastic state had formed, called the [[Skete]] of [[Stagoi]], and it was centered around the still-standing church of [[Theotokos]] (Mother of God).<ref name="meteora"/> By the end of the 1100s, an ascetic community had flocked to Meteora.

In 1344, [[Athanasius the Meteorite|Athanasios Koinovitis]] from Mount Athos, later known as Athanasios the Meteorite, brought a group of followers to Meteora. From 1356 to 1372, he founded The [[Monastery of Great Meteoron]] on the Broad Rock. That location was perfect for the monks, because there, they were safe from political upheaval, and they had complete control of the entry to the monastery. The only means of reaching it was by climbing a long ladder, which was drawn-up whenever the monks thought that there was a threat to them.<ref name=Hammond1965>{{cite journal | last=Hammond | first=Peter | title=Meteora: the Rock Monasteries of Thessaly. By Donald M. Nicol. London: Chapman & Hall, 1963 | journal=The Journal of Ecclesiastical History | publisher=Cambridge University Press (CUP) | volume=16 | issue=2 | year=1965 | issn=0022-0469 | doi=10.1017/s0022046900054099 | page=229| s2cid=161659078 }}</ref> The creation of the monastic community at Meteora was protected and sponsored by the local lord [[Simeon Uroš]], based in nearby [[Trikala]], who in 1356 had proclaimed himself [[Emperor of Serbs and Greeks]] following the death of [[Stefan Dušan]].<ref name=Savvides>{{citation |title=Splintered medieval hellenism: The semi-autonomous state of Thessaly (AD 1213/1222 to 1454/1470) and its place in history |author=Alexis G. C. Savvides |journal=Byzantion |issue=2 |year=1998 |volume=68 |pages=406–418 |publisher=Peeters Publishers|jstor=44172339 }}</ref>{{rp|414}} 

Simeon Uroš was succeeded in 1370 by his son [[John Uroš]], who three years later retired as a monk to the Meteoron monastery and died there in the early 1420s. At the end of the fourteenth century, Christian rule over northern Greece was being increasingly threatened by Turkish raiders who wanted control over the fertile plain of Thessaly, which they finally secured in the second half of the 15th century. The hermit monks, seeking a retreat from the expanding [[Ottoman Empire]], found the inaccessible rock pillars of Meteora to be an ideal refuge. More than 20 monasteries were built,<ref name=":5"/> of which six remain today. In 1517, [[Theophanes the Cretan|Theophanes]] built the [[monastery of Varlaam]], which was reputed to house the finger of [[John the Apostle|St. John]] and the shoulder blade of [[St. Andrew]].<ref name=":2" />

Access to the monasteries was originally (and deliberately) difficult, requiring either long ladders that were latched together, or large nets that were used to haul-up both goods and people. This required quite a leap of faith, because the ropes were replaced, so the story goes, only "when the Lord let them break".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://travelwithachallenge.com/Greece-Meteora.htm|title=Greece Meteora – Travel with a Challenge|website=travelwithachallenge.com|access-date=3 April 2018|archive-date=5 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905155631/http://travelwithachallenge.com/Greece-Meteora.htm}}</ref> In the words of UNESCO: "The net in which intrepid pilgrims were hoisted up vertically alongside the {{convert|373|m}} cliff where the Varlaam monastery dominates the valley symbolizes the fragility of a traditional way of life that is threatened with extinction."<ref name="Janz2017">{{cite book|author=Bruce B. Janz|title=Place, Space and Hermeneutics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uPqODgAAQBAJ&pg=PA67|date=29 April 2017|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-3-319-52214-2|pages=67–}}</ref>

Until the 1600s, the primary means of conveying goods and people from these high places was by means of baskets and ropes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsfinder.org/site/more/meteora_connecting_with_heaven/|title=Meteora, Connecting with Heaven presented in History section|website=www.newsfinder.org|access-date=3 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524004020/http://www.newsfinder.org/site/more/meteora_connecting_with_heaven/|archive-date=24 May 2014}}</ref>

Under the [[Convention of Constantinople (1881)]], [[Thessaly]] was taken-over by the [[Kingdom of Greece]]. In 1921, [[Queen Marie of Romania]] visited Meteora, becoming the first woman ever allowed to enter the Great Meteoron monastery.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.revistafelicia.ro/articol_1012281/regina_maria_prima_femeie_la_marea_meteora__fotografii_inedite_din_interiorul_manastirii_facute_chiar_de_regina.html |title=Regina Maria, prima femeie la Marea Meteoră. Fotografii inedite din interiorul mănăstirii, făcute chiar în timpul vizitei reginei :: Spiritualitate :: Calea, adevarul si viata :: Revista Felicia |access-date=2015-04-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419154101/http://www.revistafelicia.ro/articol_1012281/regina_maria_prima_femeie_la_marea_meteora__fotografii_inedite_din_interiorul_manastirii_facute_chiar_de_regina.html |archive-date=2015-04-19 }}</ref>

In the 1920s, there was an improvement in the arrangements: Steps were cut into the rock, making the complex accessible via a bridge from the nearby plateau. During [[military history of Greece during World War II|World War II]], the site was bombed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldheritagesite.org/connection/Damaged+in+World+War+II|title = Damaged in World War II – World Heritage Site – Pictures, Info and Travel Reports}}</ref>

==List of rocks==
[[File:J26 510 Gamma-, Beta- und Alphawand.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Rocks of Meteora]]
[[File:GR-Meteora-kloester.png|thumb|right|250px|Map of Meteora]]
There are various rocks of Meteora that surround the village of [[Kastraki, Trikala|Kastraki]] and border the north side of the main town of [[Kalabaka]].<ref>{{cite web|title=8 κορυφαία αξιοθέατα σε Μετέωρα – 2022|website=Tripnholidays|url=https://el.tripnholidays.com/2059-meteora-gr-thes-mete-el|language=el|access-date=2022-06-02}}</ref><ref>[https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=15/39.7134/21.6330&layers=Y OpenStreetMap].</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Meteora, Rock climbing|website=theCrag|date=11 May 2016|url=https://www.thecrag.com/en/climbing/greece/meteora|access-date=2022-06-03}}</ref> The height in metres is also given for various rocks.<ref name="arch">{{Cite web|url=https://arch.duth.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/melegkou.pdf|title=Μετέωρα: Ικριωματικά καταφύγια|publisher=Δημοκρίτειο Πανεπιστήμιο Θράκης (Τμήμα Αρχιτεκτόνων Μηχανικών)|date=December 2019|access-date=2022-06-08}}</ref>

*[[Dupiani]] (Δούπιανη; {{convert|390|m|abbr=on}})<ref>{{cite web|title=Node: ‪Δούπιανη‬ (1333712611)|website=OpenStreetMap|date=10 May 2020|url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/1333712611|access-date=2022-06-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Meteora-Doupiani|website=Vertical-Life|url=https://www.vertical-life.info/en/outdoor/thessaly/meteora/meteora-doupiani|access-date=2022-06-03}}</ref>
*[[Agio Pneuma (Meteora)|Agio Pneuma]] (Άγιο Πνεύμα; {{convert|600|m|abbr=on}}),<ref>{{cite web|title=Meteora-Holy Ghost|website=Vertical-Life|url=https://www.vertical-life.info/en/outdoor/thessaly/meteora/meteora-holy-ghost|access-date=2022-06-03}}</ref> site of the historic {{ill|Monastery of St. George of Mandila|bg|Свети Георги Мандилски}} and [[Monks' Prison (Meteora)|Monks' Prison]]
*[[Kumaries]] (Κουμαριές; {{convert|497|m|abbr=on}})
*Toichos Alpha (Τοίχος Α) / Kafkasia<!-- Check if these two names actually do refer to the same rock --> ({{convert|480|m|abbr=on}})<ref name="arch"/>
*Toichos Beta (Τοίχος Β) / Sfika<!-- Check if these two names actually do refer to the same rock --> ({{convert|528|m|abbr=on}})<ref name="arch"/>
*Toichos Gamma (Τοίχος Γ) / Palaiokranies<!-- Check if these two names actually do refer to the same rock --> ({{convert|540|m|abbr=on}})<ref name="arch"/>
*Toichos Delta (Τοίχος Δ) / Lianomodia<!-- Check if these two names actually do refer to the same rock --> ({{convert|531|m|abbr=on}})<ref name="arch"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Meteora-Delta Spur|website=Vertical-Life|url=https://www.vertical-life.info/en/outdoor/thessaly/meteora/meteora-delta-spur|access-date=2022-06-03}}</ref>
*St. Eustratius (Αγίου Ευστρατίου)
*Archangel (Ταξιαρχών)
*Chalasma (Χάλασμα)
*Marmaro (Μάρμαρο; "marble"),<ref>{{cite web|title=Node: 4382627843|website=OpenStreetMap|date=22 February 2020|url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/4382627843|access-date=2022-06-21}}</ref> traversed by a paved road that connects Kastraki with Kalabaka
*[[Surloti]] (Σουρλωτή; {{convert|600|m|abbr=on}})<ref>{{cite web|title=Meteora-Sourloti|website=Vertical-Life|url=https://www.vertical-life.info/en/outdoor/thessaly/meteora/meteora-sourloti|access-date=2022-06-03}}</ref>
*[[Modi (Meteora)|Modi]] (Μόδι; {{convert|584.5|m|abbr=on}}), site of the historic [[Monastery of St. Modestus]]
*[[Alysos]] (Άλυσος) / Altsos (Άλτσος) / Alsos (Άλσος) ({{convert|587.8|m|abbr=on}}),<ref>{{cite web|title=Node: ‪Άλτσος / Άλσος‬ (3830643354)|website=OpenStreetMap|date=26 April 2020|url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/3830643354|access-date=2022-06-03}}</ref> site of the historic [[Monastery of the Apostle Peter's Chains]]
*[[Pyxari]] (Πυξάρι; {{convert|523.9|m|abbr=on}}),<ref>{{cite web|title=Way: ‪Πυξάρι‬ (629598668)|website=OpenStreetMap|date=28 May 2022|url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/629598668|access-date=2022-06-03}}</ref> site of the historic {{ill|Hermitage of Saint Gregory the Theologian|bg|Свети Григорий (Метеора)}} (Ασκηταριά Αγίου Γρηγορίου του Θεολόγου), [[Monastery of St. Anthony (Meteora)|Monastery of St. Anthony]], and Monastery of Chrysostomos<ref>[https://www.pinterest.com/pin/236509417910192383/ Map of Monasteries, Meteora]. Baedeker, ''PlanetWare''.</ref>
*[[Badovas]] (Μπάντοβας; {{convert|447.3|m|abbr=on}}), site of the historic {{ill|Monastery of St. Nicholas of Badovas|bg|Свети Николай Бандовски}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Node: ‪Μπάντοβας‬ (3830668064)|website=OpenStreetMap|date=26 April 2020|url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/3830668064|access-date=2022-06-03}}</ref>
*[[Ambaria]] (Αμπάρια; {{convert|400|m|abbr=on}})<ref>{{cite web|title=Node: ‪Αμπάρια‬ (1333712546)|website=OpenStreetMap|date=26 April 2020|url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/1333712546|access-date=2022-06-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Meteora-Ambaria|website=Vertical-Life|url=https://www.vertical-life.info/en/outdoor/thessaly/meteora/meteora-ambaria|access-date=2022-06-03}}</ref>
*[[Agia (Meteora)|Agia]] (Αγιά; {{convert|630|m|abbr=on}}), also known as Megali Agia, or "Large Aya". Site of the historic Monastery of St. Apostoles (Μονή Αγίων Αποστόλων).
*Mikri Agia (Μικρή Αγιά), or "Small Aya"
*[[Adrachti]] (Αδράχτι; {{convert|474|m|abbr=on}})
*[[Ftelias]] (Φτελιάς)
*St. Dimitrios (Αγίου Δημητρίου), where the [[Monastery of St. Dimitrios]] and [[Ypapantis Monastery]] can be found
*Kelarakia ({{lang|el|Κελαράκια}})
*Psaropetra ("Fish Rock"), now a viewpoint on the main road that is popular with tourists
<!-- Other rock names or geographical features mentioned in Provatakis (2006, p. 15), but these need to be verified first: Kapsalos (near Chalasma), Pouliana (east side of Kalabaka), Abelia (SE side of Kalabaka), Miriai (SE of Kalabaka), Sopotos (east of Alysos), Kastanes (near Archangel Rock), Plakes (a valley south of the Dragon's Cave) -->
The greater Meteora rock formation also extends northwest into the [[Gavros, Trikala|Gavros]] and [[Agios Dimitrios, Trikala|Agios Dimitrios]] areas, although the term ''Meteora'' is commonly used to refer to only the rocks around [[Kalabaka]] and [[Kastraki, Trikala|Kastraki]].

==The monasteries of Meteora==
At their peak in the 16th century, there were 24 monasteries at Meteora in Greece. 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 in origin. Today there are six still functioning, while the remainder are largely in ruin. Perched onto high cliffs, they are now accessible by staircases and pathways cut into the rock formations.<ref name=Hammond1965 />

=== List of monasteries ===
Traditionally, the 24 historic monasteries of Meteora are listed as follows.<ref>{{cite web|title=ΜΕΤΕΩΡΑ|website=users.sch.gr|url=http://users.sch.gr//elianos/meteora_in1.htm|language=el|access-date=2022-06-02}}</ref><ref name="Provatakis">{{cite book|last=Provatakis|first=Theocharis M.|year=2006|title=Meteora: History of monasteries and monasticism|place=Athens|publisher=Michalis Toubis Publications S.A.|isbn=960-540-095-2}}</ref> Coordinates are also given for some sites.<ref name="vlioras">{{cite web|last=Vlioras|first=Spyridon|date=2017|title=Μετεωρικές μονές: Συμβολή στον απαιτούμενο και ευκταίο διάλογο|website=Σπυρίδων Βλιώρας (Προσωπική ιστοσελίδα)|url=https://www.vlioras.gr/Personal/Interests/Articles/2017.05.26.Meteora.htm|language=el|access-date=2022-06-02}}</ref> The list is primarily sourced from Vlioras (2017),<ref name="vlioras"/> with some additional notes from Provatakis (2006).<ref name="Provatakis"/>

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! English !! Greek transliteration !! Greek script !! Notes !! Image
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| {{ill|Monastery of the Holy Archangels (Meteora)|lt=Monastery of the Holy Archangels|bg|Свети Архангели (Метеора)}} || Agion Taxiarchon || Αγίων Ταξιαρχών || Monastery ruins ({{Coord|39.717067|21.635697|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Monastery of the Holy Archangels}}) on Archangel (Taxiarchon) Rock (Βράχος Ταξιαρχών). || 
|-
| [[Monastery of the Apostle Peter's Chains]] || Alyseos Apostolou Petrou || Αλύσεως Αποστόλου Πέτρου || Probably built around 1400. Ruins ({{Coord|39.712752|21.629524|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Monastery of the Apostle Peter's Chains}}) on [[Alysos]] (Άλσος) Rock. || [[File:J26 497 Altsos.jpg|125px|Altsos Rock]]
|-
| [[Monastery of the Pantocrator]] || Pantokratora || Παντοκράτορα || Mentioned in documents from 1650. Ruins ({{Coord|39.722293|21.621406|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Monastery of the Pantocrator}}) at the [[Dupiani]] area. It is located about 30 metres above the ground. || [[File:C1.28 Pandokrátor-Ruinen.jpg|150px]]
|-
| [[Monastery of St. John of Bunilas]] || Ioannou tou Bounela || Ιωάννου του Μπουνήλα || Ruins of monastery walls in an area called Bunila, known as Palaiomonastiro ({{lang|el|Παλαιομονάστηρο}}). || 
|-
| [[Monastery of St. John the Baptist (Meteora)|Monastery of St. John the Baptist]] || Agiou Ioanne Prodromou || Αγίου Ιωάννη Προδρόμου || Founded in the mid-17th century. Ruins ({{Coord|39.723732|21.624006|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Monastery of St. John the Baptist}}) located on a rock directly adjacent to the [[Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas]]. The rock on which the monastery was built was the residence of [[Athanasius the Meteorite]]. Theophanes and Nektarios Apsarades, the founders of the [[Monastery of Varlaam]], also lived on the rock for seven years before they built Varlaam. || [[File:C1.26 Agios Ioánnis Pródomos.jpg|150px]]
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| [[Ypsilotera Monastery]] / Kalligrafon || Mones Ypseloteras / Kalligrafon || Μονής Υψηλωτέρας / Καλλιγράφων || The monastery was famous for its manuscripts and calligraphers. Founded in 1347 by Paschalis of Kalambaka. Ruins ({{Coord|39.725090|21.627798|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Ypsilotera Monastery}}) located on Ypsilotera Rock (585.7 m<ref name="arch"/>) next to the "Devil's Tower", a geological rock formation that is between the [[Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas]] and [[Monastery of Varlaam]]. In the photo to the right, Ypsilotera is the free-standing dome-shaped rock on the left, covered with vegetation on top. || [[File:20140414 meteora134.JPG|150px]]
|-
| [[Kallistratou Monastery]] || Kallistratou || Καλλιστράτου || Exact location uncertain. In the general area of the [[Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas]] and [[Monastery of Rousanou]]. Also known as the Monastery of Christ the Savior (Μονὴ Σωτῆρος Χριστοῦ, ''Moni Sotiros Christou''). || 
|-
| [[Panagia of Mikani Monastery]] (Paleopanagia) || Panagias tes Mekanes / Palaiopanagia || Παναγίας της Μήκανης / Παλαιοπαναγιά || Founded in 1358 in a rock cave ({{coord|39|48|8|N|21|40|42|E|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Palaiopanagia Monastery}}). 7&nbsp;km north of [[Vlachava]] village, near the Ion (or Mikani) River, a tributary of the [[Pineios (Thessaly)|Pineios]].<ref>Bourlis Alexios (archimandrite), ''The Holy Monastery of Panagia of Meikani''. The monastery of Paleopanagia Vlachava, Athens 2009. // Μπουρλής Αλέξιος (αρχιμανδρίτης), Η Ιερά Μονή Παναγίας της Μήκανης. Το μοναστήρι της Παλαιοπαναγιάς Βλαχάβας, Athens 2009.</ref> It can be reached via a dirt road that goes out to the northeast from the village center of Vlachava. A carved staircase leads up to the rock cave. Elevation: about 600 m. Also, directly behind it lies Kallistra Rock (βράχος Καλλίστρα), the site of the ruins of the Monastery of St. Kallistos (Μονή Αγίων Αποστόλων Καλλίστου), which is also called the Monastery of the Holy Apostles (Μονή των Αγίων Αποστόλων). || 
|-
| [[Monastery of Great Meteoron]] || Metamorfoses || της Μεταμόρφωσης || One of the 6 open monasteries today. || [[File:Megalo_Meteoro_panorama.jpg|150px]]
|-
| [[Monastery of Rousanou]] / Arsanou || Rousanou / Arsanou || Ρουσάνου / Αρσάνου || One of the 6 open monasteries today. || [[File:Meteora - Rousanou Monastery 1.jpg|150px]]
|-
| [[Monastery of St. Anthony (Meteora)|Monastery of St. Anthony]] || Agiou Antoniou || Αγίου Αντωνίου || Built around the 14th century, only a small church has survived from the monastery ({{Coord|39.712166|21.621643|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Monastery of St. Anthony}}), on the south side of [[Pyxari]] Rock. || [[File:J26 548 Ágios Andónios.jpg|150px]]
|-
| [[Monastery of Varlaam]] / All Saints || Varlaam / Agion Panton || Βαρλαάμ / Αγίων Πάντων || One of the 6 open monasteries today. || [[File:Μονή Βαρλαάμ Μετεώρων από κάτω.jpg|150px]]
|-
| {{ill|Monastery of St. George of Mandila|bg|Свети Георги Мандилски}} || Agiou Georgiou tou Mandela || Αγίου Γεωργίου του Μανδηλά || Ruins at the [[Holy Spirit Rock|Holy Spirit]] (Agion Pnefma) Rock ({{Coord|39.718336|21.622516|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Monastery of St. George of Mandila}}). Kerchiefs (''mandilia'') are traditionally hung at the cave entrance. The cave is 15 metres long and 4–5 metres deep at its center, and is located about 30 metres above the ground. It may have been one of the four monasteries founded around 1367 by Neilos, the [[Prior (ecclesiastical)|Prior]] of the Skete of Stagoi. The Cave of St. George of Mandila may be the same as the Cave of Archimandrite Makarios near Pigadion. || [[File:J26 454 Ágios Jórgos Mandilás.jpg|150px]]
|-
| {{ill|Monastery of St. Gregory|bg|Свети Григорий (Метеора)}} || Agiou Gregoriou || Αγίου Γρηγορίου || Founded in the 14th century. Ruins ({{Coord|39.712271|21.621536|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Monastery of St. Gregory}}) on [[Pyxari]] Rock. || [[File:J26 538 Einsiedeleien im Pixari.jpg|125px]]
|-
| [[Monastery of St. Dimitrios]] || Agiou Demetriou || Αγίου Δημητρίου || Destroyed by [[Ali Pasha of Ioannina|Ali Pasha Tepelena]] in 1809 since Greek insurgents led by [[Thymios Vlachavas]] had set up their headquarters in the monastery. Ruins ({{Coord|39.7332099|21.6310140|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Monastery of St. Dimitrios}}) on Dimitrios Rock above [[Ypapantis Monastery]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Node: ‪Άγιος Δημήτριος‬ (4332250541)|website=OpenStreetMap|date=4 May 2020|url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/4332250541|access-date=2022-06-03}}</ref> || [[File:J26 463 Klosterruinen Ágios Dimítrios.jpg|150px]]
|-
| [[Monastery of St. Modestus]] || Agiou Modestou || Αγίου Μοδέστου || Built around the 12th century. First mentioned in a 12th-century letter. Also mentioned in 1614. Ruins ({{Coord|39.714796|21.629437|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Monastery of St. Modestus}}) on Modesto ([[Modi (Meteora)|Modi]]) Rock (rock on the right in the photo). || [[File:J26 559 »Spindel«, Surloti, Modestos.jpg|150px]]
|-
| [[Holy Monastery (Meteora)|Holy Monastery]] || Agias Mones || Αγίας Μονής || The monastery was mentioned in 1614, which at the time was inhabited by more than 20 monks. Ruins ({{Coord|39.723969|21.627943|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Holy Monastery}}) in the Sterna area near [[Ypsilotera Monastery]]. The monastery had also sought to gain recognition as a [[stavropegion]]. || [[File:J26 588 Ágia Moní.jpg|150px]]
|-
| [[Monastery of St. Nicholas of Badova]] / Nikolaus Kofina || Agiou Nikolaou tou Bantova / Agiou Nikolaou Kofina || Αγίου Νικολάου του Μπάντοβα / Αγίου Νικολάου Κοφινά || Founded {{circa}} 1400 in a rock cave on [[Badovas]] Rock. Not preserved, since in 1943 it was bombed and destroyed by the Germans. Ruins ({{Coord|39.710731|21.622125|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Monastery of St. Nicholas of Badova}}), which can be reached via a series of ladders passing through three caves, located at the southwestern edge of the Meteora rock complex. || [[File:J26 541 Ágios Nikólaos Bándovas.jpg|150px]]
|-
| [[Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas]] || Agiou Nikolaou Anapausa || Αγίου Νικολάου Αναπαυσά || One of the 6 open monasteries today. || [[File:GR-meteora-st-nikolaos.jpg|125px]]
|-
| [[Monastery of Saint Stephen (Meteora)|Monastery of St. Stefanos]] || Agiou Stefanou || Αγίου Στεφάνου || One of the 6 open monasteries today. || [[File:Moni Agiou Stephanou BW 2017-10-07 10-59-13.jpg|150px]]
|-
| [[Monastery of the Holy Trinity, Meteora|Monastery of the Holy Trinity]] || Agias Triados || Αγίας Τριάδος || One of the 6 open monasteries today. || [[File:Meteora_Agios_Triadas_IMG_7632.jpg|125px]]
|-
| [[Monastery of the Holy Apostles (Meteora)|Monastery of the Holy Apostles]] || Agion Apostolon || Αγίων Αποστόλων || Ruins have been preserved ({{Coord|39.711703|21.625157|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Monastery of the Holy Apostles}}). Founded in the early 16th century (perhaps by the monk Kallistos) and documented in 1551. Only ruins, murals, carved stairs, and a cistern remain. Located on Agia Rock at the southern edge of the Meteora rock complex. Full Greek name: {{lang|el|Ιερά Μονή Αγίων Αποστόλων (Αϊά)}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ερειπωμένα ναι, ξεχασμένα όχι! Μια αναφορά στις Μετεωρίτικες μονές των Αγίων Αποστόλων|website=ΒΗΜΑ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΙΑΣ|date=29 June 2014 |url=https://www.vimaorthodoxias.gr/monastiria-tou-kosmou/%CE%B5%CF%81%CE%B5%CE%B9%CF%80%CF%89%CE%BC%CE%AD%CE%BD%CE%B1-%CE%BD%CE%B1%CE%B9-%CE%BE%CE%B5%CF%87%CE%B1%CF%83%CE%BC%CE%AD%CE%BD%CE%B1-%CF%8C%CF%87%CE%B9-%CE%BC%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%B1%CF%86/?print=print|language=el|access-date=2022-06-03 |author1=Newsroom }}</ref> || [[File:07Meteora12.jpg|125px]]
|-
| [[Monastery of St. Theodore]] || Agion Theodoron || Αγίων Θεοδώρων || Ruins ({{Coord|39.663677|21.694746|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Monastery of St. Theodore}}) located near [[Theopetra Cave]], southeast of Kalabaka town. || 
|-
| [[Ypapantis Monastery]] || Ypapantes || Υπαπαντής || Founded in 1367 by the Prior/Abbot of the Skete of Dupiani. In 1765, it was restored by Athanasios Vlachavas, a local leader. Today, Ypapantis Monastery (literally "Monastery of the Purification [of the Virgin Mary]") is inactive and rarely visited, although the building ({{Coord|39.733470|21.630868|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Ypapantis Monastery}}) has been restored.<ref>Sofianos Z. Dimitrios, Deriziotis Lazaros, ''The Holy Monastery of Ipapanti of Meteora''. Academy of Athens, 2011, {{ISBN|978-960-404-218-0}}. // {{lang|el|Σοφιανός Ζ. Δημήτριος, Δεριζιώτης Λάζαρος, Η Ιερά Μονή της Υπαπαντής των Μετεώρων. Δεύτερο μισό του 14ου αιώνα}}, εκδ. Ακαδημία Αθηνών, 2011, σελ. 184, {{ISBN|978-960-404-218-0}}.</ref> The interior of the building is usually closed to visitors. Accessible by footpaths, one of which passes by [[Ftelias]] (Φτελιάς) Rock. || [[File:X2.00a Ypapantískloster.jpg|150px]]
|}

Other sites ([[skete]]s, [[hermitage (religious retreat)|hermitages]], rocks, etc.) include:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Site !! Notes !! Image
|-
| [[Dupiani]] (Δούπιανη) || Rock with the first monastery (or {{ill|Skete of the Holy Virgin of Dupiani|bg|Дупянски скит}}), also known as the ''Panagia Parthénos Kyriákou'' Monastery ({{Coord|39.721072|21.619516|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Panagia Parthenos Kyriakou}}), founded in Meteora, and also the name of the rock on which it is built. The original monastery itself has not survived. The early 13th-century chapel built on this site is still in use and maintained. Renovations took place in 1867 and 1974. Located on the north side of [[Kastraki, Trikala|Kastraki]] village. The [[Monastery of St. Dimitrios of Dupiani]] ({{Coord|39.722322|21.621405|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Monastery of St. Dimitrios of Dupiani}}) at Dupiani is not to be confused with the Monastery of St. Dimitrios adjacent to [[Ypapantis Monastery]]. || [[File:Dupiani.png|100px]]
|-
| {{ill|Agiou Pneuma (Meteora)|lt=Agiou Pneuma|bg|Свети Дух (Метеора)}} ("Holy Spirit"; {{langx|el|Αγίου Πνεύματος|translit=Agiou Pneumatos}}) || Rock monastery with ruins ({{Coord|39.718285|21.625010|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Agiou Pneuma}}) connected by a narrow rock-carved path. Preserved [[sarcophagus]], [[monastic cell]]s, two cisterns, and a rock-carved altar and shrine. || [[File:J26 570 Felsenkirche Ágion Pnéwma.jpg|100px]]
|-
| [[Monks' Prison (Meteora)|Monks' Prison]] (''[[:commons:Category:Filakaé Monakón|Filakaé Monakón]]'') || The Monks' Prison ({{Coord|39.720162|21.627118|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Monks Prison}}) is perched on a rock cliff on the [[Agion Pneuma Rock]]. It may be the same as the Cave of Neophytos, the founder of the St. Dimitrios and Pantokrator monasteries on [[Dupiani]] Rock. Also known as Oglas (Ογλάς) or the Nuns' Prison (Φυλακές των Καλογέρων, ''Fylakes ton Kalogeron''). || [[File:C2.01 Filakaé Monakón.jpg|100px]]
|-
| [[Hermitage of St. Athanasius of Meteora]] ({{langx|el|Άγιος Αθανάσιος}}) || Ruins of a hermitage on the [[Holy Spirit Rock]] said to be inhabited by St. [[Athanasios the Meteorite]] (Ἀθανάσιος ὁ Μετεωρίτης) ({{Coord|39.717172|21.622431|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Hermitage of St. Athanasius of Meteora}}). The [[Cave of St. Athanasius of Meteora]] ({{Coord|39.724027|21.627965|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Cave of St. Athanasius of Meteora}}) is next to the Holy Monastery.<ref>Sofianos Z. Dimitrios, The Hosios Athanasios the Meteorite: Life, sequence, synaxaria. Prolegomena, translation of the Life, critical edition of texts, ed. of I.M.M. Meteoros (Metamorphosis), Meteora 1990, no. 21. // Βέης Νικόλαος, «Συμβολή εις την ιστορία των μονών των Μετεώρων», Βυζαντίς 1, 1909, σελ. 236, 274–276.</ref> || 
|-
| [[Pyxari]] (Πυξάρι) || Rock with cave hermitages perched on cliffs, formerly inhabited by ascetics. Located at the southwestern edge of the Meteora rock complex. || [[File:J26 545 Pixariwand, Einsiedeleien.jpg|100px]]
|-
| [[Ambaria]] (Αμπάρια) || Rock with cave hermitages perched on cliffs, formerly inhabited by ascetics. Located at the southwestern edge of the Meteora rock complex. || [[File:J26 534 Ambariá.jpg|100px]]
|-
| [[Monastery of St. Eustratius]] (Moni Agios Efstratios, Μονή Αγίου Ευστρατίου) || Little-known monastery on [[Surloti]] Rock (βράχου Σουρλωτή). || [[File:J26 558 »Spindel«, Surloti.jpg|100px|Surloti Rock]]
|-
| Staircase of St. Eustratius || The Staircase of St. Eustratius ({{Coord|39.717349|21.634427|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Staircase of St. Eustratius}}) is located on the eastern side of St. Eustratios Rock. There are a few different stairways carved into the rock. || [[File:Eustratius rock stairs Meteora.jpg|100px]]
|-
| [[Monastery of Theostiriktos]] (Μονή Θεοστηρίκτου) || Location uncertain. In the general area of Stylos Stagios (βράχου Στύλος Σταγών) / [[Agion Pneuma Rock]]. || 
|-
| [[Cell of Constantius]] (Κελί του Κωνστάντιου) || Northeast of [[Pyxari]] Rock in a forested valley ({{Coord|39.7142225|21.6249977|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Cell of Constantius}}).<ref>{{cite web|title=Node: ‪Κελί του Κωνστάντιου‬ (4382301210)|website=OpenStreetMap|date=26 April 2020|url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/4382301210|access-date=2022-06-03}}</ref> Also called the Panagia Hermitage (Ασκητήριο της Παναγίας), Panagia Chapel (Ναός της Παναγίας), or Trani Church (Τρανή Εκκλησιά). || [[File:Cell of Constantius 1.jpg|100px]]
|-
| [[Monastery of St. Nicholas of Petra]] (Μονή Αγίου Νικολάου της Πέτρας) || Ruins ({{Coord|39.710824|21.621164|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Monastery of St. Nicholas of Petra}}) on [[Badovas]] / Bantova Rock, just to the west of the monastery of St. Nicholas of Badova. Also known as the Monastery of St. Nicholas of Skala (Αγίου Νικολάου της Σκάλας). || [[File:J26 542 Bándovastein, Ágios Nikólaos Bándovas.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Kelarakia ({{lang|el|Κελαράκια}}) || Ruins ({{coord|39.72514|21.63241|type:landmark_region:R-E|display=inline|name=Kelarakia}}) on a rock directly to the east of the [[Monastery of Varlaam]]. The Cell of St. Paul the Apostle ({{lang|el|Κελί του Αγίου Αποστόλου Παύλου}}) can probably be identified with Kelarakia. The Plakes (Πλάκες) area, a valley with various rocks, is located just south of Kelarakia. || [[File:20140414 meteora192.JPG|100px]]
|-
| [[Monastery of the Three Hierarchs]] (Μονή των Τριών Ιεραρχών) || Somewhere to the east of [[Kastraki, Trikala|Kastraki]]. Exact location unknown. || 
|}

=== The Great Meteoron ===
{{Main|Monastery of Great Meteoron}}
[[File:Great_Meteoron_Monastery_02.jpg|thumb|The Great Meteoron]]
[[File:Megalo_Meteoro_panorama.jpg|thumb|Great Meteoron Monastery]]

The Holy [[Monastery of Great Meteoron]] is the oldest and largest of the monasteries of Meteora. The monastery is believed to have been built just before the mid 14th century by a monk from Mount Athos named Saint [[Athanasios the Meteorite]].<ref>Nicol, Donald MacGillivray. Meteora : The Rock Monasteries of Thessaly by Donald M Nicol. Chapman and Hall, 1963. EBSCOhost, search-ebscohost-com.holycross.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat06787a&AN=chc.b1193287&site=eds-live&scope=site. p. 3</ref> He began the build with a church in dedication to the [[Catholic Mariology|Mother of God]], the [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Virgin Mary]]. He later added small cells so that [[monk]]s could concentrate and live atop the rock formations.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Meteora Tourist Information|url=https://www.visitmeteora.travel/meteora-tourist-info/|access-date=2021-12-02|website=Visit Meteora|date=30 November 2015|language=en-US}}</ref> The monastery's second name is, The Holy Monastery of the [[Transfiguration of Jesus|Transfiguration]], which got its name from the second church St. Meteorites built. The successor of Saint Athanasios was Saint Joasaph, who continued to build more cells, a hospital, and renovated the churches atop the rocks. The Monastery thrived in the 16th century when it received many imperial and royal donations.<ref name=":12">Poulios, Ioannis. Living Sites : The Past in the Present : The Monastic Site of Meteora, Greece : Towards a New Approach to Conservation. Jan. 2008. EBSCOhost, search-ebscohost-com.holycross.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsble&AN=edsble.503480&site=eds-live&scope=site. p149</ref> At the time it had over three hundred monks living and worshipping within its cells. It is still a living monastery as there were three monks in residence as of 2015.<ref>Poulios, Ioannis. Living Sites : The Past in the Present : The Monastic Site of Meteora, Greece : Towards a New Approach to Conservation. Jan. 2008. EBSCOhost, search-ebscohost-com.holycross.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsble&AN=edsble.503480&site=eds-live&scope=site. p15</ref><ref name=":0" />

Being the largest among all the monasteries allows it to have a particular layout filled with many buildings. The [[katholikon]] is dedicated to the [[Transfiguration of Jesus]] and was the first church of the monastery. The hermitage of the first founder of the monastery is a small building carved in rock. The kitchen or what is commonly referred to as the [[hestia]] is a dome-shaped building near the [[refectory]]. There is also a hospital, with its famous roof of the ground floor made of brick and supported on four columns. The three old churches or chapels include: The Chapel of Saint John the Baptist which lies next to the katholikon sanctuary, The Saints Constantine and [[Helen of Troy|Helen]] Chapel which is an aisle-less church with large [[Vault (architecture)|vault]], and finally the chapel of Virgin Mary situated in the cave.<ref name=":0" /><ref>"Look inside Meteora, a Remote Complex of Monasteries Built Thousands of Feet above the Ground in Greece." The Business Insider (Blogs on Demand), June 2020. EBSCOhost, search-ebscohost-com.holycross.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsgao&AN=edsgcl.655327382&site=eds-live&scope=site.</ref><ref>Nicol, Donald MacGillivray. Meteora : The Rock Monasteries of Thessaly by Donald M Nicol. Chapman and Hall, 1963. EBSCOhost, search-ebscohost-com.holycross.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat06787a&AN=chc.b1193287&site=eds-live&scope=site. p. 78</ref>

=== Monastery of Varlaam ===
{{main|Monastery of Varlaam}}
[[File:Varlaam_Monastery,_Meteora.jpg|thumb|The Monastery of Varlaam]]
The [[Monastery of Varlaam]] is the second largest monastery of Meteora. The name Varlaam comes from a monk named Varlaam who scaled the rocks in 1350 and began construction on the [[Monastery|monasteries]]. Varlaam built three churches by hoisting materials up the face of the cliffs. After Varlaam's death, the monastery was abandoned for two hundred years until two monk brothers, Theophanes and Nektarios Apsarades, came to the rock in the 16th century and began to rebuild the churches in October 1517.<ref>Nicol, Donald MacGillivray. Meteora : The Rock Monasteries of Thessaly by Donald M Nicol. Chapman and Hall, 1963. EBSCOhost, search-ebscohost-com.holycross.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat06787a&AN=chc.b1193287&site=eds-live&scope=site. pg. 135–137</ref> The two brothers from [[Ioannina]] spent twenty-two years hoisting materials to the top of the rock formation, however, the building only is reported to have taken around twenty days.<ref name=":2">"Holy Monastery of Varlaam." ''Kalampaka.com'', 10 July 2016, https://www.kalampaka.com/en/meteora-monasteries/monastery-of-varlaam/ .</ref> Monks have been present since the 16th century, however, there has been a constant decline in their presence since the 17th century.<ref name=":12"/><ref name=":2" /> Today the monastery is accessed through a series of ladders that scale the north side of the rock. The museum is open to travelers and contains a wide array of relics and ecclesiastical treasures.  {{As of|2015}} there are seven monks remaining in Varlaam.<ref name=":2" />

=== Monastery of Rousanou ===
{{main|Monastery of Rousanou}}
[[File:Meteora_-_Rousanou_Monastery_1.jpg|left|thumb|The Monastery of Rousanou located atop the rock structures]]
The [[Monastery of Rousanou]] is believed to have been constructed, like many of the other monasteries, in the 14th century.<ref>Nicol, Donald MacGillivray. Meteora : The Rock Monasteries of Thessaly by Donald M Nicol. Chapman and Hall, 1963. EBSCOhost, search-ebscohost-com.holycross.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat06787a&AN=chc.b1193287&site=eds-live&scope=site. pg. 144</ref> The cathedral is believed to have been built in the 16th century and later decorated in 1540. The name Rousanou is believed to come from the first group of monks who settled on the rock from Russia.<ref>Nicol, Donald MacGillivray. Meteora : The Rock Monasteries of Thessaly by Donald M Nicol. Chapman and Hall, 1963. EBSCOhost, search-ebscohost-com.holycross.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat06787a&AN=chc.b1193287&site=eds-live&scope=site. pg 147</ref> The monastery sits on the elevation 484 meters. Lying in the middle of the site, visitors can see the other monasteries, as well as the ruins of the Monastery of St. John the Baptist and the Pantokrator.<ref>"[https://www.kalampaka.com/en/meteora-monasteries/monastery-of-rousanou/ Holy Monastery of Rousanou]." ''Kalampaka.com'', 10 July 2016.</ref>

=== Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas ===
{{main|Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas}}
[[File:Monastery_of_St._Nicholas_Anapausas.jpg|right|thumb|The Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas]]
The [[Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas]] is located atop a small narrow rock. It is approximately eighty meters high and the first which the pilgrims encounter on their way to the holy Meteora. The Monastery was founded in the late 14th century and today is surrounded by the deserted and ruined monasteries of St. John Prodromos, the [[Christ Pantocrator|Pantocrator]], and the chapel of Panagia Doupiani.<ref>Nicol, Donald MacGillivray. Meteora : The Rock Monasteries of Thessaly by Donald M Nicol. Chapman and Hall, 1963. EBSCOhost, search-ebscohost-com.holycross.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat06787a&AN=chc.b1193287&site=eds-live&scope=site. p. 158</ref> The monastery served as a resting place for pilgrims and quickly got its name of ''Anapausas'' (modern pronunciation ''anapafseos''), 'resting'.<ref name=":4">{{cite book | last=Hellander | first=Paul | title=Greece | publisher=Lonely Planet | publication-place=Footscray, Vic. | date=2008 | isbn=978-1-74104-656-4 | oclc=182664010}}</ref><ref name=":5"/> Being on such a narrow surface, the floors are connected through an interior staircase. St. Nicholas is honored on the second floor where the [[katholikon]] is located. On the third floor, there is the [[Altar|Holy Table]] and the walls are decorated by 14th-century frescoes. The monastery has been restored in the 16th century and again in the 1960s.<ref name=":5" />

=== Monastery of the Holy Trinity ===
{{main|Monastery of the Holy Trinity, Meteora}}
[[File:Monastery of the Holy Trinity, Meteora 01.jpg|left|thumb|The [[Monastery of the Holy Trinity, Meteora|Monastery of The Holy Trinity]]]]
The [[Monastery of the Holy Trinity, Meteora|Monastery of the Holy Trinity]] is believed to have been built in the 14th and 15th century. Even prior to this, ancient Greeks established hermitages at the base of the rock cliffs.<ref>"Holy Monastery of Holy Trinity." ''Kalampaka.com'', 10 July 2016, https://www.kalampaka.com/en/meteora-monasteries/monastery-of-holy-trinity/ .</ref> In the 14th century, [[John Uroš]] moved to the Meteora and endowed and built monasteries on top of the rock cliffs. He offered the sanctuaries as a safe haven during times of political upheaval.<ref name=":4" /> The monk Dometius was said to be the founder of the monastery, arriving at the site of Holy Trinity in 1438. The actual monastery is believed to have been built between 1475 and 1476.<ref>Conder, Josiah (1830). ''Turkey''. J. Duncan. p. 348.</ref> Some do say that the exact construction date of the monastery like many of the other monasteries is unknown. By the end of the 16th century this was one of the last six monasteries still atop the Meteora.<ref name=Hammond1965 />

[[File:Monastery of St. Stephen at Meteora by Joy of Museums.jpg|thumb|The Monastery of St. Stephen]]

=== Monastery of St. Stephen ===
{{main|Monastery of Saint Stephen (Meteora)}}
The [[Monastery of Saint Stephen (Meteora)|Monastery of St. Stephen]] is located on a plateau-like structure. The original monastery was believed to have been built in the 14th century, however, a new [[katholikon]] was built in 1798 making it the newest of all the meteorite structures.<ref name=":6">"Holy Monastery of Saint Stephen." ''Kalampaka.com'', 10 July 2016, https://www.kalampaka.com/en/meteora-monasteries/monastery-of-saint-stephen/ .</ref> The monastery is made up of many buildings including new katholikon, the "[[hestia]]" (kitchen), an old refectory that has since become a museum, and an assortment of rooms with different purposes.<ref>Nicol, Donald MacGillivray. Meteora : The Rock Monasteries of Thessaly by Donald M Nicol. Chapman and Hall, 1963. EBSCOhost, search-ebscohost-com.holycross.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat06787a&AN=chc.b1193287&site=eds-live&scope=site. p. 164-166</ref> These include workrooms for paintings, embroidery, incense-making, and needlework. The church's interior was decorated with [[fresco]]es on the inside for a short period after 1545. However, during the [[World war]]s, the [[Monastery|monasteries]] were bombed heavily and ransacked in the belief that the monks were holding refugees.<ref name=":6" /> {{As of|2015}}, the Monastery of St. Stephen is home to 28 nuns after its conversion to a nunnery in 1961.<ref name=":6" />

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="120px">
Image:Meteora in the early morning hours.jpg|Meteora in the early morning hours
Image:Greece meteora monasteries.JPG|The [[Monastery of Rousanou|Rousanou]], the [[Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas|Nikolaos]] and the [[Grand Metereon]] monasteries
File:Ιερά Μονή Ρουσάνου.jpg|The [[Monastery of Rousanou]] (in order from background to foreground). The [[Holy Spirit Rock]] is on the left side, while [[Dupiani]] Rock can be seen in the center, at the middle of the valley.
Image:Meteory 1 wisnia6522.jpg|Panorama of the Meteora valley
Image:Meteora valley, Meteora, Greece.jpg|Panoramic view at Meteora valley
Image:Monastery Varlaam, Meteora, Greece.jpg|Panoramic view at the [[Monastery of Varlaam]]
Image:Roussanou, Meteora, Greece.jpg|Panoramic view at the [[Monastery of Roussanou]]
Image:Varlaam and Grand Metereon, Meteora, Greece.jpg|Panoramic view at monasteries of [[Monastery of Varlaam|Varlaam]] and [[Grand Meteoron]]. From left to right: Kelarakia, [[Monastery of Varlaam|Varlaam Monastery]], [[Holy Monastery (Meteora)|Holy Monastery]], [[Ypsilotera Monastery|Ypsilotera]], Devil's Tower, and [[Grand Meteoron]].
</gallery>

==Recreation==
Meteora is popular with hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers, and rock climbers from around the world, particularly during the summer. The [[Meteora MTB Race]], also known as the Vasilis Efstathiou (Βασίλης Ευσταθίου) MTB Race, is held annually at Meteora.<ref>{{cite web|title=Meteora MTB Race – Βασίλης Ευσταθίου|website=cyclinghellas.gr|url=https://cyclinghellas.gr/el/agones/18-meteora-mtb-race|language=el|access-date=2022-06-02}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
* The monastery of Holy Trinity was a filming location for the 1981 [[James Bond]] movie ''[[For Your Eyes Only (film)|For Your Eyes Only]]''.<ref name="Internet Movie DataBase">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082398/locations|title=For Your Eyes Only (1981)|access-date=3 April 2018|via=www.imdb.com}}</ref>
*The 1957 film ''[[Boy on a Dolphin]]'' is partly shot in Meteora.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050208/locations?ref_=tt_dt_dt|title=Boy on a Dolphin (1957) – IMDb|website=[[IMDb]]}}</ref> [[Clifton Webb]]'s character visits Meteora, and goes up to the Holy Trinity monastery to do some library research.
*Scenes in ''[[Tintin and the Golden Fleece]]'' were also shot at the Meteora monasteries.
* Michina, the main setting of the movie ''[[Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life]]'', is based on Meteora.
* Meteora is the main location in the fiction book ''[[The Spook's Sacrifice]]'', by English author [[Joseph Delaney]].
* One of the surviving characters in [[Max Brooks]]'s zombie apocalypse novel ''[[World War Z]]'' finds refuge and peace of mind in the monasteries during and after the zombie war.
* The 2012 film ''[[Meteora (film)|Meteora]]'', directed by [[Spiros Stathoulopoulos]], is set in the monasteries and scenery of Meteora.
* The primary location and name of Volume 3 in the comic book series ''Le Décalogue'' by French author [[Frank Giroud]] is based on Meteora.
* The ''[[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3]]'' [[Downloadable content|DLC]] Map "Sanctuary" is set in the monasteries of the Meteora.
* The [[Meteora (album)|2003 album]] by [[Linkin Park]] takes its name from the site.
* The monasteries were a filming location for the 1976 action movie ''[[Sky Riders]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blackholereviews.blogspot.com/2010/12/sky-riders-1976-best-of-hang-gliding.html|title=BLACK HOLE REVIEWS: SKY RIDERS (1976) – best ever hang gliding action movie...|first=Mark|last=Hodgson|date=17 December 2010|website=blackholereviews.blogspot.com|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> starring [[Susannah York]], [[James Coburn]] and [[Robert Culp]].
* In ''[[The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles]]'' episode "Travels with Father", Indiana and his father visit Meteora.
* Meteora served as an inspiration for the Eyrie in the ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' television series.<ref>[https://www.businessinsider.com/cliffs-inspiration-for-game-of-thrones-2016-5 A breathtaking spot in Greece served as inspiration for 'Game of Thrones']</ref>
*The design of the Elysium realm in The Fate of Atlantis downloadable chapter of [[Assassin's Creed Odyssey]] was inspired by the geology of Meteora.
* Meteora was the location of the first challenge in the eighth season of the Belgian reality show ''[[De Mol (TV series)|De Mol]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Debi|first=Eline|date=8 March 2020|title='De Mol': een advocaat zonder geweten en een (verdacht) blinde mol in aflevering 1|trans-title='De Mol': a lawyer without conscience and a (suspected) blind mole in episode 1|url=https://www.flair.be/nl/chillax/series-films/de-mol-griekenland-aflevering-1/|access-date=10 March 2020|website=Flair|language=nl}}</ref>
* A professional wrestling move innovated by [[Cima (wrestler)|CIMA]] was named after the Meteora, as that was where he had proposed to his wife.
* The external design of the level "St. Francis' Folly" in the 1996 game ''[[Tomb Raider (1996 video game)|Tomb Raider]]'' and its 2007 [[Tomb Raider: Anniversary|remake]] was inspired by the lofty monasteries of Meteora.
* Meteo, a fictional country from ''[[Disco Elysium]]'', is based on Meteora.

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
* Fotis, Kotopoulis (1973). ''Meteora (- Kastraki – Aiginion)''. Athens: Difros. // Κοτοπούλης Φώτης, Μετέωρα (- Καστράκι – Αιγίνιον), εκδ. Δίφρος, Athens 1973.
* Ioannis, Papasotiriou (1934). ''Meteora'', Trikala: Panourgia. // Παπασωτηρίου Ιωάννης, Τα Μετέωρα, εκδ. Πανουργιά, Τρίκαλα 1934.
* Ioannis, Papasotiriou, ''The Meteora'', ed. Panourgia, Trikala 1934. // Παπασωτηρίου Ιωάννης, Τα Μετέωρα, εκδ. Πανουργιά, Τρίκαλα 1934.
* Nikolaos, Vais, "Contribution to the history of the monasteries of Meteora", ''Byzantius'' 1, 1909, p.&nbsp;236, 274–276. // Βέης Νικόλαος, «Συμβολή εις την ιστορία των μονών των Μετεώρων», Βυζαντίς 1, 1909, σελ. 236, 274–276.
* Nikolaos, Vais, "Serbian and Byzantine letters of Meteora", ''Byzantius'' 2 (1910/11) pp.&nbsp;89–96. // Βέης Νικόλαος, «Σερβικά και Βυζαντιακά γράμματα Μετεώρου», Βυζαντίς, 2 (1910/11) σελ. 89–96 & Σπανός Βασίλειος, Ιστορία-Προσωπογραφία της Β.Δ. Θεσσαλίας το β' μισό του ΙΔ' αιώνα, Λάρισα 1995.
* Reader's Digest. ''Strange Worlds Amazing Places'' (1994), 432 pp. Published: Reader's Digest Association Limited, London. {{ISBN|0-276-42111-6}}.
* Spyridon, Vlioras (2017). ''Holy Meteora – The rocks that neighbour heaven'', trans. Caroline Makropoulos. Athens: Militos (Μίλητος). {{ISBN|978-960-464-925-9}}.
* Theotokni [Mitsikostas], Nun (2010). ''The stone forest of Meteora'', vol. 1, Meteora: Holy Ascetic. // Θεοτέκνη [Μητσικώστα] μοναχή. [http://www.sudoc.abes.fr/cbs/DB=2.1/SRCH?IKT=12&TRM=17990289X ''Το Πέτρινο Δάσος των Μετεώρων'', τ. αʼ: Ιερά ασκητήρια]. Άγια Μετέωρα: Ιερό Κοινόβιο Αγίου Στεφάνου. 2010. {{ISBN|978-960-86366-5-1}}.
* Vasilios, Spanos ''History-Prosopography of NW Thessaly in the second half of the 14th century'', Larissa 1995. // Σπανός Βασίλειος, Ιστορία-Προσωπογραφία της Β.Δ. Θεσσαλίας το β' μισό του ΙΔ' αιώνα, Λάρισα 1995.
* Βλιώρας Σπυρίδων, ''Ἱερὰ Μονὴ Ρουσάνου – Ἅγια Μετέωρα: Οἱ οὐρανογείτονες βράχοι'', εκδ. Μίλητος, Αθήνα 2017, σελ. 178, {{ISBN|978-960-464-911-2}}.

==External links==
{{Commons and category|Μετέωρα|Meteora}}
{{Wikivoyage|Meteora}}
{{GeoGroup}}
* {{cite EB9 |wstitle = Meteora |volume= XVI | page=114 |short=1 }}
* [https://random-times.com/2018/07/07/meteora-beyond-monasteries-a-unique-place-in-central-greece Meteora beyond monasteries: a unique place in central Greece]
* [https://www.tameteora.gr/%CF%84%CE%B1-%CE%BC%CE%BF%CE%BD%CE%B1%CF%83%CF%84%CE%AE%CF%81%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CF%84%CF%89%CE%BD-%CE%BC%CE%B5%CF%84%CE%B5%CF%8E%CF%81%CF%89%CE%BD-the-meteora-monasteries/ The Meteora monasteries]
* [http://www.vimeo.com/22429882 Suspended in the air | Meteora] timelapse video of Meteora
* [http://meteoramuseum.gr Natural History Museum of Meteora and Mushroom Museum ] Kalambaka
* [https://meteoratrails.com/ Meteora Trails] (In 2021, an effort to map the entire trail network of Meteora began, which now consists of 14 interconnected trails covering the entire area.)

{{Meteora}}
{{World Heritage Sites in Greece}}
{{Byzantine Greece}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Meteora| ]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Trikala (regional unit)]]
[[Category:Lists of Christian monasteries in Greece|Meteora]]
[[Category:Natura 2000 in Greece]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Thessaly]]
[[Category:Rock-cut architecture]]
[[Category:Second 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites]]