Kalambaka Trip Overview
See the ‘columns of the sky’ where monks once settled on this 4-hour walking tour of Meteora. With a local tour leader by your side, explore the UNESCO-listed site and visit three of the region’s remaining monasteries.See all the six active monasteries and visit insisde 3 main monasteries! Enjoy breathtaking views of Meteora and discover the natural beauty and the cultural heritage of this area.
• You will learn about the culture and history of the place on a deeper level and from a local’s perspective.
• Great photo oportunities and panoramic vistas
• See all six active monasteries
• You will learn about etiquette and behavior (especially important at religious sites).
• You will be able to ask as many questions as you want.
• Daily departures depart any day you want, 365 days a year
• Small size groups.
• Vip Mini bus limo 18 seats.
free mineral bottled water
Additional Info
Duration: 4 hours
Starts: Kalambaka, Greece
Trip Category: Tours & Sightseeing >> Half-day Tours
Explore Kalambaka Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Kalambaka, Thessaly, Greece
See the ‘columns of the sky’ where monks once settled on this 4-hour walking tour of Meteora. With a local tour leader by your side, explore the UNESCO-listed site and visit three of the region’s remaining monasteries.See all the six active monasteries and visit insisde 3 main monasteries! Enjoy breathtaking views of Meteora and discover the natural beauty and the cultural heritage of this area.
• You will learn about the culture and history of the place on a deeper level and from a local’s perspective.
• Great photo oportunities and panoramic vistas
• See all six active monasteries
• You will learn about etiquette and behavior (especially important at religious sites).
• You will be able to ask as many questions as you want.
• Daily departures depart any day you want, 365 days a year
• Small size groups.
• Vip Mini bus limo 18 seats.
free mineral bottled water
Pass By: Meteora, Kastraki, Kalambaka 422 00 Greece
The 24 monasteries emerged on the countless summits of the rocks from the 14th until the 16th century, 6 of them remaining to be explored and admired by all. These monasteries became the centers of the Orthodox creed in the Byzantine era, having produced some of the best pieces of religious art and craft and still possessing a collection of precious manuscripts, which today are on display in their museums. The Meteora monasteries have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and the Meteora-Antichassia region has been officially declared a Natura 2000 Ecological Zone by the Greek Ministry of Environment, for the protection of rare species of birds and flowers.
Pass By: Agios Nikolaos Anapaphsas, Kalambaka Greece
The Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas of Anapafsas is the first Monastery that we encounter on our way to the Holy Meteora and was founded at the end of the 14th century.
For the name Anapafsas there are numerous interpretations two of which are the most popular. The first one is that the name Anapafsas was attributed by one of the monastery’s benefactors, while the second explanation has to do with the monastery’s position being the first to be encountered on the way up and probably served to the pilgrims and other visitors as a resting place before continuing on.
Stop At: Roussanou Monastery, Kalambaka Greece
The Holy Monastery of Roussanou has received the name of the first probable hermit who settled on the rock. The main cathedral was founded at the end of the 16th century and was decorated thirty years later.
Compared to other rocks where monasteries were built, the one of Roussanou has a lower elevation, which makes it more accessible. The monastery was initially founded by monks and it suffered severe damage during World War II. It became a convent in 1988.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Varlaam Monastery, Kalambaka Greece
The Holy Monastery of Varlaam is the second biggest monastery. It is located opposite of the Great Meteoro Monastery and it was founded in the mid 14th century by the exercitant Hosios Varlaam.
The elegant monastery Catholicon was built in the honour of Agioi Pantes in 1541-42, by two brothers from Ioannina, the priest-monks Hosioi Theophanes and Nectarios the Apsarades. The main church was decorated in 1548. Based on stylistic criteria, this magnificent wall-painting is attributed to the famous hagiographer from Thebes, Frago Catelano.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Great Meteoron Monastery, Eparhiacos dromos Meteoron, Kalambaka 42200 Greece
The Great Meteoron Monastery is the biggest and oldest one of all. It was called the monastery that was “suspended in the air” (meteoro), because of the formation of the gigantic rock on top of which it was built.
The Great Meteoro Monastery was founded by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite who was the first founder of the monastery and the organizer of the systematic koenovion. For this reason, the foundation of this monastery is considered to be a turning point, or even better, the beginning of the organized monastisicm in Holy Meteora.
Duration: 1 hour
Pass By: Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada), Kalambaka Greece
The Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada) is the most difficult to reach, but once you get to the very top the panoramic view of the surroundings is simply captivating!
This Monastery is very close to the Saint Stephen’s Nunnery and it is perched on a steep and magnificent rock. It had already been organized Monastery since the year 1362 as indicated in a document by Symeon Uressis Palaeologos. Visitors have to follow a pathway that directs them initially to the foot of the rock, before they start walking up about 140 steps.
Pass By: Agios Stefanos, Kalambaka Greece
This is the most accessible monastery, where instead of steps you simply cross a small bridge to reach the entrance. It is ideal for visitors who cannot use the steps and yet they wish to have a real experience of a Meteora monastery.
The beginning of monastic life on the rock of Agios Stephanos dates back to early in the 12th century. Hosios Antonios, in the first half of the 15th century, and Hosios Philotheos, who renovated or rather rebuilt from its foundations the old small and elegant Catholicon, the present church of Agios Stephanos, in 1545 are mentioned as its founders.
