Holy Trinity Monastery in Meteora, Greece
Holy Trinity (Agia Triada) Monastery in Meteora is the most difficult one to access and therefore records the least number of tourists. There is a long pathway which takes to the base of this peak; from there you have to climb 140 steps approx carved to the sides of the peak to reach the monastery.
Views from this monastery are mesmerizing! The monastery existed since 1362, as mentioned in scriptures and inscriptions. There is a mention somewhere that it took 70 years to carry up the building materials to the top of the peak.
This is the third oldest among all the religious houses of Meteora. The main cathedral on the peak was constructed in 15th century. It was decorated with frescoes in 1741 by two monks. The wall-paintings surviving today are the work of the hagiographers Antonios the priest and his brother Nicolaos.
In 1988 Meteora monasteries were included in list of UNESCO World heritage sites.
Access to Holy Trinity Monastery
Until 20th century monks accessed this monastery with ropes and ladders. We saw some old trolleys, ropes and rails. In 1925 a series of steps was cut through mountain sides for easier and quicker approach.
This monastery is the farthest from main road in the mountains. You have to walk quite a bit and then there is a final climb of 146 steps too. One of the reasons why very less number of tourists visit this. Even the day tour buses from Athens avoid a stop at Holy Trinity Monastery.
Ropes and rails – Holy Trinity Monastery
Dramatic Location on a Slender Peak
A trivia connected with this monastery is: Part of it was used as the setting for the final scenes of the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only.
The effort to reach the top was worth it. Lovely setting; understandable why this was chosen as a film location. The view below and around is terrific. It is a small monastery, the tour inside gets over very fast but we whiled away some more time soaking in the peace of the place.
Road to Holy Trinity Meteora – I paused to look back and was amazed at the distance I covered.
View of mountains from Holy Trinity Monastery Meteora – they looked like tiny giant mountains.
Plundered during WWII
Holy Trinity monastery had accumulated 124 manuscripts over the years. These manuscripts are now kept in St Stephen’s Monastery (Nunnery) Meteora.
Sadly this monastery was looted of its treasures during World War II, so those are gone. Just one treasure that survived is a Gospel Book with a silver cover that was printed in Venice in 1539.
Restored old frescoes of 17th century on walls of Holy Trinity Monastery, many of them are restored.
View from Holy Trinity Monastery
Here are photos from Holy Trinity Monastery. There were hardly any tourists around.
Step out to see the brick and tile exterior of the church, its domes and bell.
In the picture below you can see 4 other active monasteries of Meteora. Can you name them?
To your extreme left is Great Meteoron Monastery, next to it slightly lower is the Varlaam Monastery, the next lower one is St Nicholas Monastery and next to it is Roussanou Monastery.
Open Timings of Holy Trinity Monastery
Summer timings: Apr to Oct: 9 am to 5 pm, closed on Thursdays
Winter timings: Nov to Mar 9 am to 4 pm closed on Thursdays.
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Great narrative, and amazing pics.
Unbelievable setting!
wow! fabulous indeed… glad you took the trouble to feel mesmerized overall. I remember seeing this place in some information channel.
truly a man-made wonder
Wow! This is like…unbelievable 🙂
Amazing pics!!!
Awe inspiring!
Wow! Fabulous photos. We've not visited this part of Greece but certainly have it on our 'must see' list!
Way to go Indrani!
Wow, that looks like an incredible place to visit. Lovely photos as well.
Cait @ Click's Clan
You are lucky to have visited this place. Awesome location.
Awesome pictures Indrani 🙂
Aweosme … In the last post I used words like stupendous, astounding…. now what ..speechless ?
Perfect setting for a murder mystery , reminding me of 'Death in Holy orders' by PD James despite the diametrically different setting …
Nature is looking dangerously beautiful here, the 'tiny giant' mountains , and the solitary monastery surrounded by rising rocks n boulders….. Breath taking .
this shud be read and viewed at leisure…bookmarked !!
Oh my.. this is awesome! What a lovely place on the unique rocks! And the unique stairways! And I love the different stones that are showing up in the monastery, beautiful!
🙂
Amazingly beautiful !
Another rocky attraction! Amazing sight and amazing views.
Indrani, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
Love places like this!
amazing pics, as always
Stunning pics!Must have been scary and arduous to walk along the pathway at such high altitude.
lovely images. I am fascinated by your Greece Trip Indrani 🙂
Wonderful views, amazing place to visit, indeed! Thanks for sharing at Our World! Have a nice week ahead!
Love the shots as usual… they are brilliant, In 🙂
Nice captures!
I have fallen in love with your pictures from Meteora.
What a Amazing Photo's and great job……
Hello Indraniji , what a cool place to visit.. Amazing scenes and views. some mechanical systems can be arranged there to make this stress free and easy reachable . They are not willing to do this ? They are not willing to increase the number of tourists ?
I loved those tiny giant mountains.. Nature is an amazing artist 🙂
Wow – fabulous view and gorgeous shots.
Yes, an incredible and amazing place!
Great post, Indrani!
Awesome pics!
great job !
I really enjoy 'this travel'. An amazing place! Thank you for sharing.
Hello Indrani, what a cool place to visit.. Amazing scenes and views.. Awesome photos, thanks for sharing your trip!
I can only repeat what the others have written — such an incredible and amazing place!! So beautiful! Your captures are superb as always and the next best thing to being there!! Have a great new week, Indrani!!
absolutely amazing!
Amazing,
Awesome photos