Located in the northwest corner of the region known as Thessaly (central Greece), the area was originally settled during the 11th Century by Greek Orthodox monks who believed the spectacular rocks, sculpted by wind and water over thousands of years, to be holy. These first monks resided in caves within the rocks.

Over the centuries, however, and especially during the brutal reign of the Turks, the monks climbed higher and higher to stay out of harm’s way. Finally, they were living on the peaks, accessible only by a system of baskets and ropes.

They built the monasteries over the span of decades. The monks enjoyed a thousand years of security and solitude – the roads, pathways, and steps to the top used by modern tourists were not built until the 1920s.

The monasteries of Meteora – which translates as “suspended in air” – protected more than just religious freedom. Their serenity and seclusion attracted not only the pious but also Greece’s philosophers, scholars, poets, and artists.

The monasteries became repositories for the Hellenic culture and traditions. It’s believed, in fact, that if not for the monasteries, Hellenic culture and history would not have survived and that modern Greece would more likely be a reflection of the Turks’ Ottoman Empire.

Of the 24 original monasteries, only six are still in operation. Each of these is open to the public. The monasteries are connected by a smooth paved road, and it’s possible to see all of them in one day if you start early enough and have a lot of energy for climbing steps.

For more information about Meteora, and other Greek destinations, go to: DREAMHOMESMAGAZINE.COM