“Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp,
or what’s a heaven for?”
~ Robert Browning
Perched precariously atop the pinnacles of steep sandstone cliffs, resembling lofty aeries of some giant predatory birds, the monasteries of Meteora beggar belief! Built in the 14th century to escape persecution by the invading Ottomans, with no access save baskets and ladders pulled up with the help of manual pulleys, these amazing spiritual retreats bear testament to the indomitable human spirit. Of the 24 monasteries only six remain and have significantly better access today than that used by those intrepid monks.
Despite vehicular access and bridges there is still a considerable climb involved. Agia Triada or the Monastery of the Holy Trinity is the hardest to get to involving rock tunnels and a climb of nearly 140 steps. Not surprisingly this was the dramatic setting for the closing scenes of the Bond movie “For Your Eyes Only”. We only had time for the Great Meteoron Monastery (below)
Visitors are also expected to follow a strict dress code: All shoulders must be covered, men must wear long trousers and women, long skirts. Skirts and scarves may be borrowed from the offices up front. Photography of the gilded icons inside was sadly forbidden.
This gallery of scanned images of the breathtaking, magical monasteries whose name translates from the Greek to “in the heaven above” is my interpretation of Jakes Sunday post – From a Distance
Until next time……..happy travels, no matter where life takes you.
The Urge To Wander 
Very nice … Haven’t yet gone there but hopefully one day 🙂
You should, they are incredible! I lost most of my photos unfortunately and these are scanned from prints I had made for an album.
stunning – simply stunning. What fantastic places you see & document, for which I am profoundly grateful 🙂
This place is truly stunning! Happy you enjoyed it Keira 🙂
Breathtaking! Had no idea Greece hosted this beauty…
Yes, rather different from the standard ruins in Greece 🙂 Believe me, breathtaking seems an understatement when you stand below one of these!
I don’t think there are words to describe these monasteries…
Thanks for showing me doors to worlds I know nothing of…
Keep travelling… and sharing 😉
Appreciate that Adwoa! Thank you so much 🙂
Hi Madhu, this is incredibly dramatic, and perfect for the theme! Imagine hauling up building materials–every brick and stone.
Thanks Naomi! Does boggle the mind doesn’t it? 🙂
A perfect quote to introduce these monastic remains. I am in awe of the beauty of this landscape.You have given me another region to explore, Madhu.
Thanks Lynne! You inspire me to catch up on destinations closer to home 🙂
Impressive – like something out of a Bond film
Thank you! And as i mentioned above, Bond did hang glide here 🙂
That’s what happens when you read posts without your contacts in!
😀
Oh Madhu! These pictures are fabulous! Meteora is on my plan when I go to Greece next week, after I do some of the islands. I hope it’s as magnificent as your photos! 🙂
Meteora is way more magnificent! Hope you manage to fit it in Cathy.You will love it.
Way more magnificent than the islands? I definitely want to fit it in, just need to figure out logistics… 🙂 I really cannot wait!
More than these images 🙂 You will need a week, at the least, for the mainland to fit most of it in. I think Meteora can be done in a LONG daytrip from Athens, including Delphi on the way. The rest – Olympia and Epidaurus are better accessed from Nauphlia in my opinion. Have fun Cathy 🙂
Oh noooo!! I leave Santorini on the 8th and have to leave Athens on the 13th, so that only leaves me 5 1/2 days on the mainland. I guess I’ll do the long day trip from Athens for Delphi and Meteora. About the other, I’m not sure!!
Find out if you can fit the others into another LONG daytrip. You will likely need another vacation by the end of it 😀
Ok, I guess they are worth it then!? I’m sure I will need another vacation after I get back…. Sadly, I’ll have to go back to work… 😦
Actually Olympia is more a case of ‘Imagine the rest’. Rather disappointing after the magnificent sites of Turkey. But we went there before so…. 🙂 Epidaurus would be just like Aspendos, if you have been there. Meteora is a must do.
Thanks so much for the advice, Madhu. I definitely will make it to Meteora. I haven’t been to Aspendos, so maybe will consider Edipdaurus….
Beautiful! Could not keep my eyes off of your picture.
Thank you Cher! And welcome to my blog 🙂
It amazes me that men were able to construct places like this, and like the Great Wall of China back in the day when heavy equipment did not exist. I would guess many lives were lost during the process. Just beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
Me too Carol! Imagine the effort required by the first monks to get up there! Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
These shots are breathtaking! These are the kinds of places you think can’t really exist. I can’t imagine building them. I can barely imagine trekking up there now. Beautiful!
Their determination to preserve their faith is truly astonishing! Thank you for stopping by 🙂
Magnificient!
Aren’t they? Thanks Judy 🙂
Perfect place for a monastey huh?!!! Great shots Madhu!
Seems like it Marina 🙂 How the first one got there is what I would like to know!
What wonderful photos, Madhu. You make me want to be there right now. 🙂
Thank you AD 🙂
Madhu, may I sit beside you and share the state of awe your post brings? Yes, the human spirit! Tool by tool. Supply by supply. Is there any reason to doubt that Love, world wide, is possible after seeing this?
I have never doubted that possibility Amy or man’s capability. Just the determination and strength of character that is required for a feat like that. Wish I could feel more optimistic 🙂 Delighted to see you here, thank you for the comment.
Wow, what a scary place to live!
Our brief visit was scary enough Colline 🙂
That is stunning. I would love to visit this incredible sight.
Thanks Susan. I hope you do 🙂
Oh my goodness! What a hike!
Not for the weak of heart, I am afraid Mona 🙂
Wonderful interpretation, from the quote through the photos and great text, Madhu. A long-admired place for me too.
Thank you Jo! I was so glad I had these few prints at least to scan from. I don’t make prints any more, but I am wondering if that is a mistake.
I still drag out the albums from time to time, Madhu. Always meant to scan them all but who has the time. No, we’ve not done prints for a while either.
These are beautiful Madhu…so glad you posted them. I, sadly, will never see these with my fear of heights…there is no way on earth I could climb up there…hehe
Thanks Jo. This was scary enough for people without vertigo 😀
What a holy place! Can’t image how they built it… Thank you, Madhu!
Me neither!! And yes the monasteries still retain their serene spiritual feel! Thanks Amy 🙂
Had to PIN one of them – spectacular. 🙂
Thanks Stuart. Delighted you enjoyed the photos 🙂
Greece is still no 1 on my top 3 countries to visit…amazing shots here
Thanks Boomie. I agree there is a magic about Greece and all the literature that we have been exposed to have heightened that aura. But do include Turkey if you are a fan of ancient ruins.
absolutely wonderful thank you madhu! i remember seeing them from a distance when we were in Greece with our three little boys in 1979 🙂
You are most welcome Dadirri. Perhaps it is time to return 🙂
Wide eye WOW! I always love looking at cliffs, this ones looks so cool. Did you take the 140 steps?
No, not 140, although it felt like it was! We visited the Great Meteoron Monastery with far fewer steps – can’t remember how many 🙂
Once again, your images and trivia are top of the class! Well done! Z
Thank you Lisa. Any wonder why I look forward to your comments? 😀
Your photography always shines Madhu ,Thanks for sharing my friend 🙂
You are welcome JAke. Your image on top of the cliff was my inspiration for this post 🙂
OMG, I have so wanted to see these. Thanks for the beautiful photos. I hope to one day see these for myself.
It would be cliched to say you will love it…but you really will 🙂 My images don’t do the place justice.
That is so incredible beautiful, Madhu
They truly are Jim. The location obviously, but the architecture as well!
Wow, that is Amazing Madhu
Thanks for Sharing
DJ-
My pleasure entirely DJ 🙂
Amazing. Amazing too that you made it up to one of these monastaries. Some days, remoteness like this would be most welcome 🙂 Nice take, as per your norm.
Thank you Lynne 🙂 I read a while ago about the possibility of a retreat with the monks in one of these monasteries. Not able to find any info now. Wouldn’t that be lovely?
I would indeed 🙂
Stunning. Really…I can’t wait until the country stabilizes so I can finally go visit! My MIL and I were just planning our trip. 🙂
I am sure you will have a grand time Ameena. Yes Meteora would be my top pick of all the mainland sites.
A lovely post, Madhu!
Thank you TRS 🙂
I knew it was Meteora the second I got a sneak preview on the reader :D. Fascinating!
Breathtaking aren’t they? Have you been there Paula?
No 🙂
Amazing and what tenacity involved in building them.
Truly aweinspiring tenacity!
Beautiful!
Thank you Roho!
breathtaking!
how lucky you are to visit all these places!
Thanks Nabadip. We work hard towards achieving our travel dreams, and sacrifice quite a few things to get there, but I do count my blessings 🙂
Hi Madhu .. I often visit this lovely blog. The photos and the details are exciting and educative. No better way to educate geography to students. Thank you.
I know Dilip, I have seen your ‘likes’. I just don’t have enough hours in a day to respond to everyone of them…apologies. Shall try to visit as often as I can 🙂
Well, Madhu — I got vertigo just looking at your photos of these unbelievable locations. But I’m very grateful that you were there, you did it, you brought back these incredible souvenirs for the rest of us! Thank you —
You are most welcome Judith. Thank YOU for stopping by to share your thoughts 🙂
hi Madhu,
you’ve visited wonderful monasteries!
These were some of the best ever Frizz 🙂
Beautiful pictures! Is there any place left in this world, where have you never been before! 🙂 Great post!
Oh lots of places Arindam…my list is never ending! Thank you for dropping by 🙂
Wow! It certainly looks like a secure hangout. Beautiful vistas, Madhu.
Absolutely unbreacable! Thank you Judy 🙂
WOW!!
I missed my Trips 😉
Thank You for not slacking, unlike OTHER Bloggers do 😛 LOL
Not sure how long I can keep this up though! Thank you for your support 🙂
I love the way you paired these photographs with Browning, Madhu. A beautiful post.
Thank you Kate.
What an astonishing feat to build and access such an exquisite place! Wow! Excellent post again, Madhu!
Yes, and considering they did not have advanced engineering tools! Thanks Fergie.
Do they tell you how the FIRST guys got up there? This is just magnificent, Madhu. How do you take it all in? And you write so beautifully about it too. You are something else, Child. I just shake my old head when I think about you! 🙂 Do be careful in your travels. Your work means a great deal to a lot of folks, you know.
They don’t actually! Can you imagine climbing up those cliffs? And then lifting the others up with a rope? I believe supplies are still sent up in a basket!
Thank you for the kind words George, cannot ask for more 🙂
Madhu, thanks again for another fabulous post – I now have more than 1000 places to see before I die!
You are still young, I presume, and i have no doubt you will get to most of them 🙂
Ahh beautiful! This world is full of amazing places 🙂
Love your blog!
Yes it is! Thank you Anne, and welcome to my blog 🙂 Loved what I saw over at your site too!
Breathtaking! The world must looks so beautiful from above!
It does Islandtraveller, the views are stunning! Thank you
“Perched precariously atop the pinnacles of steep sandstone cliffs, resembling lofty aeries of some giant predatory birds, the monasteries of Meteora beggar belief!”
This is so poetic. Wow!
Coming from you that is a huge compliment! Thank you Eric!
The scans turned out very well, Madhu. Lovely reminder of those awesome monuments to spiritual fervour. 🙂
Yes, I am happy with the way these turned out. I have to find time to digitise the rest of my prints somehow.
There’s a whole world hidden in there … 🙂
🙂
If it weren’t for your wander lust, I wouldn’t know as much about the world’s architectural riches – thank you!
I am delighted that you find it interesting Elisa. Thank YOU for reading and sharing your thoughts
Very informative. TY! 🙂
Thank you Eliz 🙂
Your blog is beautiful and fascinating! Thank you for sharing your travels 🙂
Thank YOU for the visit and comment Mono 🙂
These photos are incredible. The story behind them is so interesting. I felt like I just
sat through a short lection and was left with a want to know more. I went to a private school that was in a monastery. It was not high in the hills. This is a place I would love to see. It looks like it requires a bit of good physical health and stamina. I will just have to wait for you to post others. I love this. Thank you for posting, Madhu. Great …..
Delighted that you enjoyed this Isadora. Yes it does require a certain degree of fitness to reach the top, but they are just as awesome viewed from below. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Madhu, ah, majestic Meteora. The highlight of our time there was hiking to a few of the monasteries. Approaching them on foot put their grand scale (and construction feat) in perspective.
Really spectacular! But the Himalayas are impossible to beat.