The first ones were built for hermit and ascetic monks in order to get isolated from the rest of the world, and then some more were built around the 14th and 15th century as a way to get shelter from the Ottoman invasion.
However, since 1988 the UNESCO begun to consider them part of the World Heritage Site. Besides noticing the imposing beauty of this place, the main fact most people wonder about the first time they see it is about how did monks managed to access these churches in the past, and how can we achieve it today.
By the time the churches were built, as it was explained, the inaccessibility was a major advantage. So the monks usually counted on nets that were hitched by a hook, which allowed them to descend or to climb up.
In many cases they used a basket pulled by some rotating mechanisms practiced by the monks.
Another method was to use retractable wooden ladders that could reach up to 40m long. However, it is easy to imagine how unsafe it was, especially if we consider the vast chasm that surrounded each construction.
For example, the Varlaam church, dominating the valley, has a 373m cliff. In fact, the UNESCO referred to the effort made by these monks when climbing the nets as a symbol of ‘the fragility of a traditional way of life threatened with extinction’. |
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Anyway, times have dramatically changed, and so Meteora has become one of the main attractions on Greece.
The access to its churches obviously changed as well, since in the 1920, the rocks were cut in order to elaborate steps into them, and the whole complex become accessible by a bridge from the close plateau.
In fact, one of these churches, called ‘Agia Triada’ -(Holy Trinity) was used for the final scenes of ‘For Yours Eyes Only’, a James Bond film with Roger Moore.
However, the churches of Meteora keep their mystical meaning, as apart from tourist, they are also visited by lots of pilgrims, and their cultural value ultimately cause them to be used as sort of museums.
UNESCO also provides a clear opinion about this fact, when affirmed that Meteora is a ‘unique example of monastic life since the 14th century’.
In fact, many of them count on important frescoes belonging to the post-Byzantine painting, from which they constitute a major stage.
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For example, not all churches are open all days, since it is necessary to give some time in private for praying and sacred works in general to the ones that are still functioning, without any tourists staring at their activities.
Therefore, in case of wanting to visit a particular church, it may be advisable to get sure beforehand that it will be open. Some examples are: the church of Rousanou, which occupies the whole rock it is placed on and dates since 1288.
In addition, it has nice frescoes in good condition. The church of Transfiguration has a nice Katholikon, good frescoes and a sanctuary. It is placed at 415 above the plain and dates from 1382.
The church of Agia Triada, mentioned before, is actually an awesome complex of constructions placed 480 above the plain. It is the least accessible but the effort worth the prize, as the churches here count on a vast collection of frescoes, and count on great panoramic views. The first of these buildings dates from 1470.
Keeping these details in mind, a great schedule can be elaborated according to the availableness of each church and the personal interests of the visitor.
However, beyond the choices of every visitor, one thing is for sure: Meteora constitutes a huge legacy in cultural terms that impresses the visitor and its churches leave deep impressions on the memory of every one who has the chance of experiencing them.
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