meteora

Chatzigaki Manor is the ideal base for an excursion to Meteora. Meteora is one of the world’s most fascinating monuments of natural beauty, as well as an architectural marvel. It is a rock formation that hosts one of the largest complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, which seem to be “suspended in the air” and is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The 800 magnificent rocks that rise vertically towards the sky accommodate 24 monasteries built on the rock pinnacles and are just 45 minutes away from the hotel.

Of the most important monuments of the Orthodox Church, the Meteora monasteries can be visited throughout the year, although the visiting hours of the monasteries change slightly, depending on the season. In most monasteries you will need to climb stairs.

Out of the original 24 monasteries only six are currently working monasteries. These are:

The Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapafsa (the monastery is inhabited by monks).  The frescoes of the noted Cretan painter Theophanis Strelitzas that decorate the small katholikon of the monastery are considered to be as the most important of post-Byzantine painting.

The Holy Convent of Rousanou/St. Barbara (the monastery is inhabited by nuns). The iconography the katholikon dates to 1560 and is considered as one of the most mature expressions of the “Cretan School” of iconography.

The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron or of Transfiguration of the Saviour (the monastery is inhabited by monks). The largest of the monasteries of Meteora was erected on the tallest of the rock formations in the mid-14^th century. It is one of the oldest working monasteries and has a museum in the cellar.

The Holy Monastery of Varlaam (the monastery is inhabited by monks). The church was built in 1541/42. Its sanctuary and the nave were decorated with frescoes in 1548 mostly by the famous iconographer Frangos Katelanos.

The Monastery of Holy Trinity is very difficult to reach. Built in 1475, was one of the filming locations for the movie For Your Eyes Only, in the James Bond series.

The Holy Convent of St. Stephen (the monastery is inhabited by nuns). The most accessible of the monasteries. Its small, single-nave church was built in the middle of the 16th century and decorated in 1545. The old refectory of the convent is presently used as a museum.

The Meteora area is also ideal for walking, climbing and mountain biking. While exploring the area, you can also visit the Natural History Museum & Mushroom Museum of Meteora.