Day 1 in Kalambaka (The Meteora)
Welcome to the small town of Kalambaka,
situated at the foot of the Meteora rocks.
Upon arrival, make your transfer to your destination, arrive at your
hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see
and do.
The best starting point to explore is the old
town of Kalambaka,
where you`ll find a maze
of narrow cobble-stoned streets and traditional houses, some built right next
to the rocks. Known as Stagi in Medieval times, Kalmbaka was an important
settlement during the Byzantine Empire and there are two churches from that
time, St John the Baptist and The Church of the Assumption
of Virgin Mary. We highly recommend a walking tour of the old town to
gather some insight of the unique beauty and history.
As you
wander, you`ll discover a number of restaurants that offer a bit of everything.
Enjoy a relaxing lunch while taking in the ambiance. Stop in a few of the charming
shops to check out the hand painted religious icons, embroidered fabrics, and
leather sandals. Another great way to soak in the local culture is to visit the
Natural History Museum of Meteora and Mushroom
Museum.
An
excellent way to take in the evening from Kalambaka is to enjoy sunset over Meteora. Grab a map of the
city for directions to the panoramic platform, the incline takes
only about a half an hour, but be prepared to climb a bit. At the top, however,
you will be rewarded with breathtaking views over the wide plain over the steep
cliffs and isolated Meteora monasteries, just stunning! Seeing the landscape
turn a fiery orange will give you an idea why the monks chose Meteora as the
ultimate place for serenity and reflection.
Day 2 in Kalambaka (The Meteora)
Wake up early today to visit the Meteora monasteries
themselves. Constructed from 1356 onwards, there were once 24 monasteries, but
that number has dwindled over the centuries, and today there are just six
monasteries that are still occupied.
One of the best ways to explore these sacred sites, which have
been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is on foot,
hiking between them. This allows
you to really immerse yourself in the scenery and experience. The 6 monasteries still inhabited (Megálo
Metéora, Varlaám, Rousánou, Agia Triáda, Agios Stéfanos, Agios Nikólaos
Anapavsás) can be visited. The rest are too difficult to access or have
collapsed.
The biggest, most impressive, and most popular of the
remaining monasteries is the Great
Meteoron, founded by Anthanasios in 1356. The monastery was
constructed on top of the biggest rock named accordingly `Platis Lithos` or
`Wide Rock`, having a total area of more than 50 acres and height reaching more
than 2,011 ft above sea level. The tombs of both Athanasios and loasaph are in
the frescoed church here. There is also an on-site museum, which besides
displaying religious icons and books, highlights the role of the Orthodox
church in Greece`s struggle for freedom from the Turks. By joining a small
group excursion, you`ll be able to learn the back-story behind what you are
seeing from a local guide.
Continuing on, the Varlaam is the second largest monastery, located just
opposite of the Great Meteoro Monastery. Founded in 1517 on the site of the old
hermitage of the hermit Varlaam (where this monastery gets its name), it is
perched 1,223 ft high. Inside, you can
visit the serene 16th-century church complete with frescoes, and the
old refectory, which houses a small museum.
Next up, head over to the well preserved Monastery of Avia Triada (Holy Trinity),
the most visually dramatic monastery. Founded in 1438, its main church is much
newer, dating from 1798. You enter by walking up the impressive stairs and into
the courtyard. From the open space behind the church, on the edge of the crag,
there are stunning views over the Plain of Thessaly. There is a museum with old
icons, books, priest clothes, church inventory and old coins. When you exit,
remember to visit the big museum downstairs, they show lots of old tools and
other things, as well as offer wine and tastings of olive oil and balsamic they
make here.
Continue on to the Monastery of Áyios Nikólaos Anapafsás (St. Nicholas), founded in 1368, it is approached by
climbing a steep hill, followed by a flight of steps. The limited surface of
the rock forced the building of monastery to be built vertically on floors, one
level on top of the other. It is well-known for its tiny, but impressive
church, decorated with incredible frescoes painted by the Cretan artist
Theophanes in 1527, the most impressive depicting `Adam naming the Animals.`
The Monastery of Rousanoú
stands boldly perched upon a slender pinnacle of rock. It is one of the easiest
to access, due to it being lower in elevation, and a newly restored bridge that
make the trek over the sheer cliff walls considerably less frightening too.
Dedicated to the `Transfiguration` but honored to Saint Barbara, Rousanou was built
around 1288 and renovated as a monastery in 1545. It became a nunnery in 1988,
and is inhabited by nuns who tend its beautiful courtyard gardens.
End your day at the Holy
Monastery of St. Stephen, the only monastery in Meteora visible from
Kalambaka. St. Stephen has been a place of pilgrimage since the 14th
century when Byzatine emperor Andronicus Paleologos visited and subsequently
funded the original church. Built in the 1500s, the present church features the
skull of St. Charalambos, which is believed to have extraordinary healing
powers. Due to the damage this monastery suffered when it was bombed in WWII by
the Germans, it was virtually abandoned until 1961, when it became a nunnery.
The monastery is home to a lovely museum that displays finely embroidered robes
and tapestries. The residence nuns welcome visitors and sometimes offer their
handmade embroideries for sale.
In the evening, head back to Kalambaka to find a nice café, that
typically turn into bars in the evening, with a relaxed lounge feel. Or, enjoy
a long dinner in the one of the town’s taverns that offers delicious meat
dishes. For something a bit more lively, head to Trikala, a lovely town about 30 minutes from Kalambaka, where you
will find many lively bars along the paved Asklepiou street.
Day 3 in Kalambaka (The Meteora)
On your last day, head out for some
more exploration of the area. We recommend a hike to the ruined and abandoned monasteries, there are numerous ones scattered
throughout the area. A guided hike through the Meteora`s Rock Forest will be
helpful to identify ruined structures that blend into the rock. It will also help
to provide insight and bring life to these forests by sharing the local legends
behind them.
Another interesting hike will bring
you to the hermit caves and jail caves.
This area is home to hundreds of caves peeking from the rock faces. There are
caves where locals kept their goats and sheep at nights, caves where hermit
monks went to spend their days in absolute solitude, and caves where the
`misbehaved monks` were jailed for causing trouble and disobeying orders.
Again, a guided tour is a must to share the unique stories that each of these
caves holds.
Spend your last evening sampling some
of the local wines and Tsipouro in a cozy wine cellar.
Because this area is one of the most mountainous regions of Greece, with
vertical, breathtaking cliffs result in some excellent local wines. Another
fantastic way to experience the wines is to join a private food and wine tour
Additional Days in Kalambaka (The Meteora)
Should you be able to spend additional days in Kalambaka we recommend you try your hand at other outdoor adventures, and there`s a lot to choose from. In Meteora you can go rock climbing, canyoning, mountain biking, rafting, horseback riding and more! It`s a perfect destination for both active and adventurous travelers who want to do a little more beyond the standard monastery tours and really soak in the outdoors.
Your Last Day in Kalambaka (The Meteora)
Depart your hotel for the train station where you will head home or make your way to more Greece adventures. Savor the memories of a very special time in Kalambaka.