Flying monasteries of Greece. Part one (Interesting story + 18 photo)

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Saints Meteora is a unique monument of nature and a complex of monasteries, the second most important (after Athos) center of Orthodox monasticism in Greece. "Floating high in the air" - so literally translates the word "meteoro" from Greek.

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It is interesting that these rocks are not single marble blocks, so common in this country, they consist of river stones, mud and sand. About 25 million years ago here, in the valley of Thessaly, there was a huge lake. Time, earthquakes, rains and winds made this place so peculiar.

In the 11th century monastic hermits began to settle in natural caves, later, on flat rock tops, 24 were erected, and on another version - 40 monasteries. Six monasteries have survived to this day: two women's monasteries and four monasteries.

If you suddenly intend to visit them, do not pay attention to the stories from tourist sites about the inaccessibility of Meteors, they are all based on the sale of excursions. Yes, the monasteries are located at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level, almost on vertical rocks. When they were almost inaccessible, the monks climbed to the top using ropes and special winches. In each monastery you can see hooks and wooden mechanisms for raising provisions and building materials in networks.

Today, almost to the entrance to the monastery, you can drive by car. For the convenience of tourists in the rocks are cut quite wide stairs. Walking along the leisurely path to the monastery takes only 5-7 minutes. Climb, for example, on one of the towers of Balogne in Italy, in my opinion, three times heavier and more terrible.

Entrance to the territory of each monastery costs 3 euros. They are almost of the same type, so it makes sense to visit the largest - the Great Meteor or the Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Lord. There is a very interesting museum of history and a Greek costume, where next to the ceremonial uniform of the yevon - the soldier of the guard of honor, is the uniform of the pilot with an oxygen mask. And in the museum of monastic life there is clearly a distortion towards winemaking...

Despite the fact that the monastery is at the top of the cliff, its territory is quite large (about 6 hectares), and there is also a kitchen, a refectory, a hospital and a house for elderly monks.

The Transfiguration Cathedral of the Great Monastery was built in 1388 in the likeness of Athos. It was repeatedly restored after fires and robberies. Today in the temple you can see the frescoes in excellent preservation, a rich wooden with gilding and inlay with a pearl iconostasis, valuable icons and even the oldest manuscript of 861. The unusually large chandelier and the Hegumen throne of the seventeenth century amaze.

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Part two: in the footsteps of Super Agent 007 is published here

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