Meteoras Monasteries
March 5, 2006
The word Meteora means literally 'hovering in the air' and of course
brings to mind the word meteor. What created this rare geological
phenomenon is one of the mysteries of nature and there are many
theories though they remain theories and none have been proven. But as
amazing a marvel of nature as these giant rocks are the buildings on
the top of these are a marvel of man and seem just as miraculous.
The area was originally settled by monks who lived in caves within the
rocks during the 11th Century. But as the times became more unsure
during an age of Turkish occupation, brigandry and lawlessness, they
climbed higher and higher up the rock face until they were living on
the inaccessable peaks where they were able to build by bringing
material and people up with ladders and baskets and build the first
monasteries.
This was also how the monasteries were reached until the nineteen
twenties and now there are roads, pathways and steps to the top. There
are still examples of these baskets which are used for bringing up
provisions.
During the Turkish occupation it was the monasteries which kept alive
the Hellenic culture and traditions and were not only relgious centers
but academic and artistic as well. It is believed that were it not for
the monasteries, Hellenic culture would have disappeared and modern
Greece would be a reflection of the Ottoman empire with little
knowledge of its roots and history. The monasteries attracted not only
the deeply religious, but the philosophers, poets, painters and the
deep thinkers of Greece. Today only six of the monasteries are active.
