Meteora’s Gravity-Defying Monasteries, Kalabaka, Greece

Seeing the Eastern Orthodox monasteries of Meteora sitting atop huge rock pillars definitely rank up there with Santorini as our Greece’s best travel experience.

After an overnight ferry and a 7-hour train ride, we thought we’d feel a little exhausted. But as soon as we reach our room and looked out the window, we were instantly re-energized.

We were glad we chose to stay in the Kastraki village area instead of Kalabaka, because if that picturesque view of a traditional village embellished with orange clay roofs at the bottom of gigantic rocks didn’t make make us want to go out and explore, nothing ever would.

And so we went out, strolled a bit and couldn’t help but marvel at the numerous geological wonders assaulting our senses.

Words have it that the hermits who inhabited this area were seeking for spiritual isolation. They first started by building caves on these rocks, going up solely with ropes and small sticks as ladders! Eventually, they started building these monasteries.

Not content with a short walk, we instantly booked a sunset tour ’cause we were definitely ready to see more that day!

There are 6 monasteries in total: the prominently seen Varlaam (pictured above), the dramatic Agia Triada, the biggest one in Great Meteoron, the most easily accesible St. Stephen which is just a bridge cross away, St. Nikolaos Anapafsas which is hidden inside the forest, and the scenic Roussanou as seen below. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).