Monastery of Great Meteoron, Kalabaka, Greece

The Monastery of Great Meteoron is the largest of the monasteries located at Meteora, though in 2015 there were only 3 monks in residence.

The Great Meteoro Monastery was founded in the mid-14th century by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite who was the first founder of the monastery and the systematic organizer. 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. Hosios Athanasios was born around 1302 in the medieval town of New Patras, today’s Hypati.

The Katholikon (main church), consecrated in honour of the Transfiguration of Jesus was erected in the middle of the 14th century and 1387/88 and decorated in 1483 and 1552. The central courtyard is embellished with beautiful 16th century frescoes. Take time to gaze at the artistic details of some of the best samples of Greek Byzantine art and then rush to the museum, where historical codices and religious icons of high value are on display. Once you’ve reached the summit, a rewarding view awaits you and the monastery calls for exploration.

References:

Visit Meteora

Address

Meteora, Kalabaka, Greece

See all sites in Kalabaka

Details

Founded: c. 1350
Category: Religious sites in Greece

More Information

www.visitmeteora.travel

Rating

4.8/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Varlaam Monastery (0,3 km)
Roussanou Monastery (0,7 km)
Meteora (0,6 km)
Holy Trinity Monastery (1,7 km)
St. Stephen Monastery (2,2 km)
St. Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery (0,3 km)

User Reviews

Sapna Srivastava (18 months ago)
Meteora has its special effects due to the geographical structures. The monk monasteries are one time see but the monk culture has been taken over by churches. There are better places to enjoy the high rise mountains and take pictures.

Rimas Trumpa (18 months ago)
Very beautiful views but large parts of the monastery were closed.

Jason Georgarakis (18 months ago)
Stunning view and a life changing experience. I would definitely recommend it during the winter time. ( If you are a photographer and you want to bring a drone you must take permission from CAA )

David Tsani (19 months ago)
A beautiful holy place which I had the luck of visiting it. Definitely recommend it!!!

Svetlana Sapkina (19 months ago)
This place is very special. It looked for me as another world or another universe. It's great to be here and to feel the spirit. I thought the presence of God feels everywhere and I has the feeling I want to stay here for a long time. Good to know about the open hours ,some of places were closed bcs of renovation or service. You can not visit all territory in monastery but some places and churches. Be prepared for 200-300 stairs in some of them. Visiting places are very good organized and its possible to buy some souvenirs near the entrances. Highly recommended to visit all monasteries

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright adegie

Historic Site of the week

Czocha Castle

Czocha Castle is located on the Lake Leśnia, what is now the Polish part of Upper Lusatia. Czocha castle was built on gneiss rock, and its oldest part is the keep, to which housing structures were later added.

Czocha Castle began as a stronghold, on the Czech-Lusatian border. Its construction was ordered by Wenceslaus I of Bohemia, in the middle of the 13th century (1241–1247). In 1253 castle was handed over to Konrad von Wallhausen, Bishop of Meissen. In 1319 the complex became part of the dukedom of Henry I of Jawor, and after his death, it was taken over by another Silesian prince, Bolko II the Small, and his wife Agnieszka. Origin of the stone castle dates back to 1329.

In the mid-14th century, Czocha Castle was annexed by Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia. Then, between 1389 and 1453, it belonged to the noble families of von Dohn and von Kluks. Reinforced, the complex was besieged by the Hussites in the early 15th century, who captured it in 1427, and remained in the castle for unknown time (see Hussite Wars). In 1453, the castle was purchased by the family of von Nostitz, who owned it for 250 years, making several changes through remodelling projects in 1525 and 1611. Czocha's walls were strengthened and reinforced, which thwarted a Swedish siege of the complex during the Thirty Years War. In 1703, the castle was purchased by Jan Hartwig von Uechtritz, influential courtier of Augustus II the Strong. On August 17, 1793, the whole complex burned in a fire.

In 1909, Czocha was bought by a cigar manufacturer from Dresden, Ernst Gutschow, who ordered major remodelling, carried out by Berlin architect Bodo Ebhardt, based on a 1703 painting of the castle. Gutschow, who was close to the Russian Imperial Court and hosted several White emigres in Czocha, lived in the castle until March 1945. Upon leaving, he packed up the most valuable possessions and moved them out.

After World War II, the castle was ransacked several times, both by soldiers of the Red Army, and Polish thieves, who came to the so-called Recovered Territories from central and eastern part of the country. Pieces of furniture and other goods were stolen, and in the late 1940s and early 1950s, the castle was home to refugees from Greece. In 1952, Czocha was taken over by the Polish Army. Used as a military vacation resort, it was erased from official maps. The castle has been open to the public since September 1996 as a hotel and conference centre. The complex was featured in several movies and television series. Recently, the castle has been used as the setting of the College of Wizardry, a live action role-playing game (LARP) that takes place in their own universe and can be compared to Harry Potter.

Do you know an ancient castle or magnificent church near you?

Why not share it with other people interested in history? You can add your own historic sites and attractions to SpottingHistory.com.

It's absolutely free, easy, and doesn't even need registration!

Upload data

Looks like you are a history fan!

Do you know an ancient castle or hidden ruins near you?

Why not share it with other people interested in history? You can add your own historic sites and attractions to SpottingHistory. It's absolutely free, easy, and you can do it even without registration (of course you an also create an free account)!

Monastery of Great Meteoron