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It is well-known that Ἀθήνη (Athḗnē) was the most powerful and glorious town of ancient Greece. Its residents managed to develop a wonderful civilization that is admired today. It is also known that the city got its name from Athena, the goddess of wisdom and courage. Today, we are heading to the Meteora with our hired driver, George, who has lived in (the Athḗnē) area for over sixty years and knows all the ins and outs of traveling within Athens. The traffic is like that of a large city with more than 4 million people; however, you need to plan at least one hour to get in or out of the city.
Meteora is a great place to experience a spectacular landscape, and Byzantine monasteries perched on steep rocks that house priceless artifacts and wall paintings. Only six monasteries are active today, with a few monks or nuns residing on Meteor. In 1988, the Meteora monasteries were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the Meteora-Antichassia area is part of the Natura 2000 network hosting some rare species of birds and flowers. As you approach the town of Kalabaka, the nearest big town near Meteora, and the picturesque village of Kastraki, you will see a complex of giant sandstone rock pillars that climb up into the sky. On top of them, you will spot the famous Meteora monasteries.
The geology of the Meteora area is fascinating The Meteora rock formations are the result of millions of years of geological processes These massive sandstone pillars, which rise up to 400 meters (1,300 feet) above the surrounding landscape, were formed around 60 to 80 million years ago during the Tertiary period The rocks are primarily made of sandstone, conglomerates, and shale, which are types of sedimentary roc These layers were deposited in ancient riverbeds, deltas, or shallow sea Tectonic forces have heavily influenced this regio The geological processes that formed the mountains are primarily associated with the collision of tectonic plate Over millions of years, the uplift of the land resulted in the creation of a large mountain range in the area, which was later eroded by natural force After the initial formation of the sandstone deposits, the landscape was further shaped by erosion over millions of year Several factors contributed to the formation of the iconic rock spires seen today:
- Water Erosion: Over time, rivers and streams carved through the softer parts of the sandstone and conglomerates, creating deep valleys. Water erosion, combined with the dissolution of minerals in the rock, helped shape the spires.
- Wind and Freeze-Thaw Weathering: The alternating cycles of freezing and thawing caused cracks and fissures in the rocks. In colder periods, water would seep into the cracks, freeze, and expand, gradually breaking the rocks apart. This process, known as frost wedging, accelerated the erosion.
- Chemical Weathering: Over time, rainfall and atmospheric conditions caused chemical weathering, particularly the leaching of minerals from the rock. This would have weakened the rock, further contributing to the forming of isolated columns and spires.
Today, the Resulting Meteora landscape is a series of isolated vertical rock towers—some standing 300 to 400 meters tall. The shape of these towering rock pillars is highly distinctive, with sheer faces, steep sides, and flat tops. The spires are isolated remnants of a once larger rock mass that natural forces have eroded.
- Complex Rock Layers: The vertical cliffs and sheer faces of the Meteora rocks often reveal complex layers of sedimentary rocks. Some of these layers are finely banded, with alternating layers of sandstone and conglomerates, with unique colors ranging from red and brown to yellow and white.
- Karst Topography: The complex geological processes in Meteora also led to the development of karst topography in the surrounding area. I had to look this up to provide some technical information. This type of landscape is formed through the dissolution of soluble rocks, like limestone, though in Meteora, the rock is predominantly sandstone. Karst features include cave systems, rock towers, and gorges.
In the James Bond movie “For Your Eyes Only,” the film’s climax is the Agia Triada ( Holy Trinity) Monastery scene. Giddy wanted to try climbing up, but when he saw how far, he decided not to. For Your Eyes Only
NOTE: Click on link and you will need to skip through the ad from UTube to see the movie clip
Meteora monasteries – the miracle of Greec A few kilometers northwest of the town of Kalabaka, the impressive rocks of Meteora rise from the plains of Thessaly, one of Greece’s most wondrous places Many centuries ago, on these gigantic rocks with a breathtaking landscape reaching heights of more than 600 meters, it was formed one of Greece’s most important monastic communities Meteora means “suspended in the air,” this phrase aptly describes these remarkable Greek Orthodox monasteries.
The Monasteries of Meteora: There are six active monasteries still in operation (out of the original 24) that you can visit. These monasteries are built on towering rock formations and are an architectural marvel.
- Great Meteoron Monastery – The largest and oldest monasteries, founded in the 14th century.
- Varlaam Monastery – One of the most impressive, with stunning views and a beautiful church.
- Rousanou Monastery – A smaller but beautiful monastery that is particularly photogenic.
- St. Nicholas Anapausas – Smaller but significant, with well-preserved frescoes.
- Holy Trinity Monastery – Famous for its dramatic location and appearance in the James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only.
- St. Stephen’s Monastery is one of the more accessible monasteries, with a bridge leading directly to it.
Now, no monastery is complete unless it has a large barrel to make wine and beer to keep the monks content and in touch.
On our 4+hour plus ride back to Athens we stopped at a nice little restaurant for late lunch of chicken, lamb and hot peppers which was fantastic.
On our way back, we took a side trip from the highway to the historic battlefield of Thermopylae, where the epic battle of the 300 took place in 480 BC. In the movie of the 300, they only mentioned the 300 Spartans and not the Thespians. However, we paid our respects at the monument dedicated to King Leonidas. We honored the 300 Spartans and the 700 Thespians who stood alongside the Spartans in their final moments and who fought valiantly until the end.
Within a half mile of the monument, there was a thermal spring which filled the air of sulfur and several people were enjoying the healing waters.
It was a long day trip, but worth the experience, with a great driver, George from Crispy Local, a unique name in the travel business. The Meteora area is worth seeing in Greece, especially when you are up in the Monastery looking down on the town below.
