In the middle of December we drove down from the cold mountains and returned to relatively warm Greece. After 12 new countries in two months, it felt a lot like coming home.
Our first destination was the doubly incredible region of Meteora. Firstly incredible for the giant sandstone rock pillars that rise above the plains.
Secondly, incredible for the monasteries that are perched on top of said giant sandstone rock pillars.
Ascetic monks began living in caves here in the 9th century and began to build monasteries not long after. There were over 20 of them by the Middle Ages but only six remain today, including these four.
The Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas
The Holy Monastery of Varlaam
The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron
To visit the holy sites, one of us had to dress a little less sluty
In the old days, the only way to get goods and people up to the monastery was in the net.
Some of them have upgraded to more modern techniques
Today, there are as few as two nuns or monks per monastery, but the presence of the past residents is keenly felt.
Some hermit caves
The view from the town of Kalambaka
Although it's in the middle of nowhere, Meteora is a truly unique place that is well worth a quick pilgrimage.
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