The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron, located at Meteora-Greece, is the biggest and oldest one of all. It was called the monastery which remains “suspended in the air” (meteoro), because of the cliff formation of a gigantic rock on top of which it was built. The Great Meteoro Monastery or “Megalo Meteoron” was founded in the 14th century by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite.
Athanasios is celebrated as the first founder of the monastery and the organizer of the systematic monasticism for the whole region of Meteora. For this reason, the foundation of this monastery is considered to be a turning point, or even better, the beginning of organized monasticism for the region of Meteora.
Athanasios was born around 1302 in the medieval town of New Patras, today’s Hypati, and his lay name was Andronikos. After he became a monk he lived for a few years in Athos before finally settling on the cliffs of Meteora.
The monastery celebrates as its second founder a Greek-Serbian Prince named John Uresis Paleologos. At the age of 22, he denounced all his royal titles and followed Athanassios to became a monk receiving the name Joasaph! Joasaph was responsible for building a church during the second half of the 14th century in the newly founded monastery. A small part of its wall which is embedded with the later 16th-century church is still visible to the visitors.
The main church of the monastery was made in the mid 16th century. It is dedicated to the transfiguration of our Lord and Savior decorated with beautiful 16th-century frescoes. Take time to gaze at the artistic details of some of the best samples of post-Byzantine art of Greece, found inside the church.
Don’t miss the chance to visit the museum of the monastery, where historical codices and religious icons of high value are on display. The monastery of Great Meteoron offers amazing views to the surrounding landscape.
If you want to enjoy captivating views and learn more for the history of one of the most important monasteries in Meteora, join now our Meteora Half-Day Tour. We will ensure that you won’t miss a thing!
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