The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron, perched atop the highest and most imposing rock in Meteora, Greece, is the oldest and largest of the Meteora monasteries. Established in the mid-14th century by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite, it marks the beginning of organized monastic life in the region.
🏛️ History & Significance
Saint Athanasios, born Andronikos in 1302 in New Patras (modern-day Hypati), initially lived as a hermit before founding the Great Meteoron Monastery on the “Platylithos” rock, which he named “Meteoron”—meaning “suspended between heaven and earth.” He introduced a cenobitic monastic community modeled after Mount Athos, emphasizing communal living and spiritual discipline.
After Saint Athanasios’s death in 1380, his successor, Joasaph (formerly John Uroš Palaiologos), a former ruler of Thessaly, expanded the monastery, constructing a grander church and enhancing its spiritual and architectural legacy.
🕰️ Visiting Information
Summer Hours (April 1 – October 31):
- Open: Monday, Wednesday–Sunday: 09:30 – 15:00
- Closed: Tuesday
Winter Hours (November 1 – March 31):
- Open: Monday, Friday–Sunday: 09:30 – 14:00
- Closed: Tuesday–Thursday
Note: The monastery is also closed during the following periods:
- August 5–7
- September 30 – October 1
- February 1–28
Dress Code: Visitors are required to dress modestly. Men should avoid shorts and sleeveless shirts; women should wear skirts and cover their shoulders. Skirts and shawls are available at the entrance for those who need them.
Entrance Fee: €3 per person.
Contact Information:
- Phone: +30 24320 22278
- Email: info@meteoromonastery.gr
🖼️ Highlights
- Hermitage of Saint Athanasios: A modest cave dwelling where the founder lived before establishing the monastery.
- Main Church (Katholikon): Dedicated to the Transfiguration of Christ, featuring impressive frescoes and sacred relics.
- Museum: Displays manuscripts, liturgical items, and artifacts showcasing the monastery’s rich history.
- Vineyard: The monastery cultivates its own vineyard, producing wine used in religious ceremonies .
📍 Visitor Tips
- Access: Visitors can reach the monastery via a steep, rock-hewn staircase.
- Guided Tours: Available to enrich the experience with historical and spiritual insights.
- Nearby Attractions: Meteora’s other monasteries and the town of Kalambaka offer additional cultural and natural sites to explore.
