Meteora, from the caves to the amazing monestries
After 4 days in Thessaloniki, we started to leave for Meteora, the monasteries up on the cliffs.
In Meteora, we stayed at Galaxy Hotel at Kalambaka for 2 nights and I have to say it was a decent hotel, comfortable and close to the center and offcourse let's not forget the good breakfast that they offer.
The Great Meteoron Monastery
At the Holy Monastery are the chapels of the Mother of God (Virgin Mary of the Meteorite Stone), of Holy Baptist, of Saint Equal Apostles Constantine and Helen and of Saint Nektarios (more modern). The most important buildings are the centre (kitchen), the old age home, the “trapeza”(dining hall) and others.
Opening hours
Varlaam Monastery
the second largest monastery after Great Meteoron monastery
Holy Monastery of Rousanou
The name is most likely from inhabitants of the rock or the founder of the original church. The rock was inhabitant from early 16th centuries, while the monastery was founded in the 14th century. The rock referred to as Rousanou was inhabited from the early 16th century, while the monastery was founded in the 14th century. But the monastery took its present form in the 16th century, when the brothers Ioasaf and Maximus from Epirus under the general renovation of the monastery rebuilt, with the consent of the bishop of Larissa Vissarion and the abbot of the monastery of Great Meteoron , the ruined church that was dedicated to the Transfiguration of Jeusus Christ. (From the official website of Meteora)
The monastery consists of a three-story complex, with the Catholicon and cells on the ground floor and reception areas, other cells and auxiliary rooms in the other two floors. The katholikon that was built in 1545 is a cross-shaped, two-columned, Athos type temple with simple, an almost square space covered with slightly ellipsoidal dome. The paintings of the ledger was made in 1560 and they represent in terms of quality one of the most mature works of painting of the acme of “Cretan School”.(From the official website of Meteora)
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Holy Monastery of St. Stephen
The monastery is located on the southern edge of the cluster of Meteora, just above Kalabaka. Access to the monastery is very easy, since a small stone bridge connects the modern street at the entrance of the monastery. Right and left of the entrance are developed the cells of the monastery. In the eastern part of the yard is the hestia, a small square domed building, the stables and other auxiliary rooms of the monastery.
The rock monastery St. Stephen inhabited by monks in the late 12th century. According to information currently cannot be ascertained, the first founder of the monastery in the year 1191/2, into the holy hermit named Jeremiah. The assembly of the building of the monastery which was founded in the 14th century completed in the 15th and 16th century. First founder of the monastery is the monk, later abbot of it Antonios Kantakouzenos.
^*The visiting hour at the time we were there was starting from 10 am.
Holy Trinity Monastery
The monastery of the Holy Trinity was made in 1488 by a monk named Dometios. But sources reveal its existence since 1362. The oldest building phase of the monastery is represented by the current church, which was built as we learn from the inscription in the year 1475/6 and is dedicated to the Holy Trinity.
Visitors to reach the monastery must cross a pedestrian path downhill until the foot of the cliff and then climb 145 carved steps.Left of the entrance to the monastery is the chapel of St. John the Baptist, a small rotunda is carved into the rock. At the end of the hallway (right) is the catholicon of the monastery. It is a small two-columned cruciform church with a dome and a spacious plain on the west side. Northwest of the building complex of the monastery, behind the church, the visitor arrives at the highest point of the rock, from the balcony you can enjoy a rare view of the other monasteries and the Meteora rocks.(From the official website of Meteora)
Where to eat In Meteora?
Lunch in Panorama Meteora
In Meteora you will find a big restaurant called Meteora Panorama on the way to the Kalabaka city from Meteora. I ordered Musaka, a traditional greek food and offcourse Zatziki as a side.
Dinner and Dessert in Panilinio
We decided to stay 2 nights in Kalabaka so we could see all the monestries. for the dinner we managed to sit in a local restaurant around the main square called Panilinio. Very warm and welcoming experience from the local staff and definitely would love to go back there again. I ordered Dolma and for the dessert, I had Kadaif with ice cream which was amazingly delicious.
food at Panilinio _ Photo by Maps to memory
Kalamba buss station https://maps.google.com/?cid=10407794243985503051&entry=gps
Lunch in Ambrosia
The next day lunch we ate again in a local restaurant in the city Kalabaka. This time I ordered traditional meatball plates with delicious tomato sauce and my friend ordered Lamp chops and both were very happy of our decision.
Our trip in kalambaka and Meteora is finished here and I hope you have learned a bit about these places and you can now plan for your next trip to greece. But my trip in greece is not finished here. After 2 nights in Kalambaka we wnt to south to visit Athens and stayed there for 4 nights.
Check out the Athens post to be updated about that trip as well and plan for you greece trip.
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