89 | 100 The myth of Meteora Monasteries

Foto Koch celebrates 100 years and we tell YOUR best stories, because without you we wouldn't be here. Today's story is about the Meteora Monasteries, which are, incredibly, located on mountains in Greece.

The Meteora Monasteries

This article is about the history and beauty of the monasteries in Meteora. Although it is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Greece, very few people have heard of the place, but it really is like something out of a fairy tale. The monasteries were built in 1334 by the monk Athanasios, who fled Athens and settled there. Even before that, hermitages had formed communities that continued to live under the leadership of Athanasios. The rules that the monk Athanasios laid down at the beginning still apply today. In the years and centuries that followed, more and more monasteries were added. At its peak, there were 24 monasteries, financed by wealthy private individuals and devout rulers.

Meteora - a beauty in its own right

Of the 24 monasteries that once existed, only 6 are still inhabited and in good repair and can be visited by tourists. The remaining houses are no longer in good condition. They are in danger of collapsing or are so remote that it would no longer be economical to live there.
The name "Meteora" - which stands for "floating in the air" - was given to the houses because in dry weather conditions it looks as if the houses are floating, as they are almost the same shade of gray as the rocks on which they were once built.

The history of the monasteries

The Meteora monasteries in Greece are located in the Thessaly region, at the foot of the Pindos Mountains near the town of Kalambaka and the village of Kastraki. Only since the 20th century have there been good "human" paths, such as stairs or cable cars, to make it easier to reach the monasteries. If you consider that the monasteries have existed since the 19th century, it is estimated that people had to overcome quite a few obstacles to reach them.