Great Meteoron Monastery – First Monastery of Meteora Greece
The Great Meteoron Monastery of Meteora is really GREAT with its several superlative interesting facts. It is located on a peak which is highest when compared to peaks of other 5 active monasteries. Area wise too it is the largest. Keep the best part of your tour time for this monastery.
After visit to St Stephen’s Nunnery we rushed to visit Great Meteoron. During winters this monastery closes at 2pm and it being the biggest one we didn’t want to run short of time.
Until the early 20th century the monastery could be accessed by only ropes and ladders. In 1923 steps were carved out in the sides of the mountain. Since then access is a lot easier, nevertheless you can see the remains of these ladders and ropes even today.
Great Meteoron Monastery Interesting Facts
- It is located on a peak named – Platys Lithos meaning Broad Rock, at a height of 1000ft (615m) above sea level.
- It is also known by name: Holy Monastery of Transfiguration of Jesus
- Largest area, 50 acres, compared to all other active Meteora monasteries
- In 1923 they added 146 steps for an easy and quick approach to the summit, though not a steep climb.
- It is an all male monastery.
- This is the oldest monastery of Meteora. Though St Nicholas Monastery was the first one where monks halted, it was at Great Meteoron the first monastery came up.
- In 1988, UNESCO enlisted the monasteries of Meteora in its prestigious list of World Heritage sites.
Great Meteoron Monastery of Meteora: History
In 1340, a scholarly monk St Athanasios from Mount Athos established this monastery of Great Meteoron. At first there was just a small church and lodging for monks. It was only much later the larger church dedicated to the Transfiguration of Christ was made. He set the rules for monastic life which the monks followed since then.
Legend around the monastery is that an eagle carried Athanasios up the mountain. He called this Megalo Meteoro meaning Great place suspended in air.
Cave of St. Athanasios Great Meteoron
After Athanasios, his successor, John Uros continued to expand the monastery. He was a Serbian King who gave up worldly pleasures to become a monk in 1373. He rebuilt the Church of the Transfiguration, added cells for monks, a hospital and cistern. It was a small world of self sustaining monks there!
In 1415 the patriarch of Constantinople granted independence to the monastery with its abbot the designated leader. The monastery continued to flourish with donations from royal families. There were massive repairs and renovations after an earthquake in 1544.
Interior of Monastery
If you are keen to know, see and understand Greek Orthodoxism then this is the place. Watch out for the following:
- Magnificent frescoes from 14th and 15th centuries still adorn the walls and interior of the church.
- Hermit cave of St. Athanasios
- Monk’s old refectory with a table on which they dined from 16th century. Original tableware too is displayed.
- Several religious wood carvings
- Kitchen where the monks cooked, the original bread oven too on display
- And finally the sacristy which contain shelves of the skulls of the monks who have lived there over the years
Museum in Great Meteoron
The museum here has a good collection of old simple items used by the monks in their everyday life like utensils, worship materials, some coins, several manuscripts.
Timings and Tickets of Great Meteoron Monastery
Summer timings: Apr to Oct: 9 am to 2 pm, closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
Winter timings: Nov to Mar 8 am to 4 pm closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Tickets cost 3 Euros per person.
Tips to Visit Great Meteoron Monastery
- If you have time to visit only one monastery in Meteora then let this be the one.
- Being the largest monastery set aside more time for this monastery when you fix the itinerary to tour Meteora monasteries.
- There are no eateries or washroom inside the monastery so prepare yourself for that.
- Please follow the dress code mentioned, they provide wraparound which you can avail free of cost.
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We had planned a trip to Greece a few years ago but didn’t get there. I was considering visiting Meteora but wasn’t sure. After reading this, it will definitely make our itinerary when we do visit. The monastery has a great history and I just love how it’s perched on the cliff. I can’t imagine how the monks used to have to use ropes and ladders to access it!
The history of this monastery is really interesting. It bursts lots of question in my mind, such as what was the reason behind it could only reach by ropes and ladders or why collecting the skulls. It makes want to visit this monastery.
Wow, the things mankind will do to get closer to God… Building a monastery on top of a rock is an incredible feat, but I guess the monks guaranteed themselves some peace and quiet in order to pray… I heard you can do prayer retreats at Mount Athos (well, men can…), I guess it would be a humbling experience for a faith practitioner. Great photos by the way!
I’ve wanted to go here for a while but we’ve not got around to visiting Greece again. But now we’re back over in Europe for a while once everything settles down a bit it might be the perfect time to go back! It really does look an impressive place to explore and photograph!
The monasteries that sit atop a hill are fascinating and a photographers dream. They are fascinating to look at both inside and out. I have not yet visited one but would appreciate the modernization with the stairs that were installed.
Truly Amazing, Thanks for the details post.