Meteora

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View of the rocks of Meteora over Kastraki

The Metéora monasteries ( Greek Μετέωρα ( n. Pl. )), East of the Pindos Mountains near the city of Kalambaka in Thessaly , Greece , are a UNESCO World Heritage Site . The name Metéora is derived from meteorizo ​​(μετεωρίζω) , which means "to lift up". This name describes the location of the monasteries, which were built on high sandstone cliffs and sometimes seem to float in hazy air.

The entire complex consists of 24 individual monasteries and hermitages , of which only six are still inhabited today. The remaining eighteen monasteries are either too difficult to reach or have been abandoned because of the risk of collapse.

history

The first documented hermitages have existed in Meteora since the 11th century, and traditions even report that they were settled before the 10th century. Over the years these hermitages grew into an organized community based on the model of the holy mountain Athos and formed the Doúpiani monastery.

With the arrival of the monk Athanasios, who fled from Athos in 1334, the rise of monastic life in the region began. Together with his spiritual foster father Gregorios and 14 other monks, he founded the Metamórphosis Monastery, also known as Megálo Metéoro, in 1344. Athanasios established the rules of monastic life that were valid in Meteora and was beatified as Athanasios Meteorites after his death. In the course of the 14th century further monasteries were built and the facilities were supported financially and by granting privileges by pious regional rulers such as King Symeon . In the course of the years, a number of monasteries and hermitages emerged, the founders of which are only partly known by name.

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Panoramic view of the rocks of Meteora, on the right the Rousánou monastery

Monastery complexes

The Megálo Metéoro Monastery
The Rousánou Monastery
The monastery of Agios Stéphanos
The Agía Triáda Monastery
The monastery of Agios Nikólaos Anapavsás
The Ypapantí monastery

Doúpiani : the first monastery founded in Meteora. The monastery itself has not been preserved. The chapel built on this site from the early 13th century is still used and maintained. Renovations took place in 1867 and 1974, among others.

Filakaé Monakón : According to tradition, this rock cave was the monk's prison . The rock niche is provided with some wooden fixtures. Monks who violated the very strict rules of the monastery were allegedly sent to Filakaé Monakón to repent.

Agios Nikólaos Anapavsás : The monastery is still inhabited. In the church of John the Baptist there are several skulls of monks who used to live here. The frescoes and paintings by Theophanes the Cretan (approx. 1500–1559) from the early 16th century are important.

Rousánou (Arsánou) : According to tradition, the still inhabited monastery was founded in 1388, other sources even speak of 1288, others mention the years 1530 and 1545 (cf. Choulia & Albani in the bibliography). The historical evidence for this information is pending. It is known that the monks lived here in a coenobitic system . After many raids and looting throughout history, as well as constant decline, Rousánou was initially abandoned in 1940. The remaining manuscripts and valuables were brought to the Megálo Metéoro monastery. As early as 1950 there were initial efforts to maintain the facility and use it again. Today Rousánou is a women's convent. The frescoes from the 16th century are well worth seeing.

Varlaám : The monastery, founded as a hermitage in the middle of the 14th century, is still inhabited. After the death of the first hermit, the site remained unused for a few years. Construction of the monastery began in 1518 and was likely to be completed in 1535. The founders of the building laid down the coenobitic way of life in their wills. A traveler from 1779 noted in his travel report that no woman had entered the place since the monastery was built.

Metamórphosis , also known as Megálo Metéoro . At around 60,000 m², the building complex is the largest of the Metéora monasteries. It is 613 m above sea level and is still inhabited by monks. The rock got its name Metéoro (floating) from the founder of the monastery, the monk Athanasios. Previously the plateau was only called Platýlithos ( wide stone ). Until 1923, the monastery could only be reached via rope ladders or a winch with a net. Today, stone stairs with 143 steps and a tunnel lead into the building complex. In the main church, frescoes from 1552 have been preserved. The Hermit Cave of Athanasius at the monastery entrance is also worth seeing.

Agía Triáda : (Holy Trinity) The monastery was probably built between 1458 and 1476. More precise dates are not known. The facility is still inhabited. Originally, access was only possible via winches and rope ladders. There has only been a staircase since 1925. The church is decorated with frescoes from 1741. Also noteworthy is a gospel book from 1539. The printed gospel book with a silver cover comes from Venice . This monastery became known worldwide as part of the James Bond film On A Deadly Mission was filmed in it.

Agios Stéphanos : The monastery, founded in 1312, is also still inhabited. The settlement of the rock is probably older. An inscription remained until 1927, suggesting a hermitage in 1192. The monastery is nicknamed "the royal", which refers to a visit by the Byzantine emperor Andronikos III. going back in 1333. The ruler is said to have been so impressed by the hospitality of the monks that he made generous donations to the monastery in the form of money and land. In the 19th century there were still more than 30 monks living in the monastery, and the number is falling. In 1960 it was practically abandoned and in 1961 it was converted into a convent. The bishop's throne and the desks for hymn books, which are decorated with mother-of-pearl inlays, are worth seeing.

Ypapantí : Monastery built in 1347, the buildings of which, unlike the frescoes in the church, were only in poor condition. In the years after 2000, the system on the flank of the Dimitriosstein was restored. The monastery is rarely visited because it is a bit outside, there is no road access and the complex is usually closed.

Agii Apóstoli : A monastery of which only ruins and a cistern have survived. Evidently mentioned in a document in 1551.

Agion Pnévma : The monastery of the Holy Spirit carved out of the rock is poorly preserved. Two cisterns , a sarcophagus , some cells and the altar carved out of the stone still bear witness to the complex, which according to tradition dates back to the 14th century.

Agía Ályssis , also called Apóstolos Pétros : Monastery complex that has not been preserved, probably built around 1400.

Ágios Nikólaos Bándovas
Ágios Andónios
Ruins of the Pandókrator monastery

Agios Antónios : Smaller monastery building from the 14th century, of which only a small church has survived.

Agios Grigórios : Not preserved monastery, also from the 14th century.

Agios Módhestos : monastery complex that has not been preserved. First mentioned as sacred ground in a letter from the 12th century. Documented in 1614.

Agios Nikólaos Bádovas or Kofinás : a monastery that has not been preserved and was built in a rock cave around 1400. Bombed and destroyed by German occupation forces in 1943.

Agía Moní : Monastery building on a peak between the monasteries of Varlaám and Agios Nikólaos Anapavsás above the valley floor with the road, historically documented in 1614, then inhabited by more than 20 monks. Only ruins remain of the buildings.

Moní Ypsilotéra also called Kaligráfon : a monastery that has not been preserved. As the nickname suggests, it is known for the manuscripts produced there.

Panagía Mýkani : First probably built as a cave church, first mentioned in 1358, later expanded into a monastery. Mention of the monastery in an episcopal letter from 1541. The monastery has not survived.

Pantokrátor : Historical documents mention the monastery in 1650. In the north-west flank of the Dupianistein, today only the remains of the wall are preserved.

Agios Dimitrios : Monastery on the Dimitrios stone above the Ypapantís monastery, preserved in ruins. The complex was destroyed by Ali Pasha von Janina , as Greek rebels had set up their headquarters in the monastery .

Agios Geórgios Mandilás : monastery, in ruins.

Kímissis Theotókou : Monastery, in ruins.

Panagia Parthénos Kyriákou : monastery, only ruins remain.

Ioannis Pródomos : Monastery, in the immediate vicinity to the west of the monastery of Agios Nikólaos Anapavsás, ruins have been preserved.

sightseeing

The monasteries Metamórphosis, Varlaám, Rousánou, Agía Triáda, Agios Stéfanos and Agios Nikólaos Anapavsás are still inhabited and can also be visited. Each of the monasteries is closed on a different day, so that they are never closed at the same time.

Please note the dress code for visitors. Shorts are taboo for men, while mini-skirts and off-the-shoulder tops are not tolerated for women. Women also prefer dresses or skirts to trousers; In some monasteries, women who wear trousers are asked to wear an apron that can be borrowed at the entrance.

The ascent to the uninhabited and dilapidated monastery ruins is difficult, often dangerous, and is not recommended.

Climb

The rocks of Meteora are one of the most popular climbing destinations in Greece. The technical developer of the area is mainly the German Dietrich Hasse , who has also written guide books on hiking trails and climbing routes in Meteora. In 2001, the base jumper Felix Baumgartner jumped from a height of 120 meters from one of the Meteora rocks.

caves

There are several caves in the formations of the Meteora rocks, including the Theopetra Cave . At this cave is the oldest man-made structure in the world. It is a stone wall that closes two thirds of the entrance to the cave. It was built 23,000 years ago.

Film set

The rocks of Meteora served as a spectacular film set for the following films :

literature

  • Suzana Choulia, Jenny Albani: Meteora, architecture - painting. Adam Publishing, Athens 1999.
  • Michalis Georgiadis: Meteora. History, art, monasticism . Athens 1981 (illustrated book).
  • Donald M. Nicol: Meteora. The rock monasteries of Thessaly . Variorum Press, London 1975, ISBN 0-902089-73-0 .
  • Theocharis Provatakis: Meteora. History of monasteries and monasticism . Toubis, Athens 1986 (in German).
  • Willi Timm: The Meteora monasteries. Landscape, history, art . Häseler Verlag, Unna 1966.

Web links

Commons : Meteora Monasteries  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 39 ° 42 ′ 45 ″  N , 21 ° 37 ′ 36 ″  E