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.