Even just driving up to a small town in Greece Kastraki, tall pillars of rock-impress look. A road-

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Meteors - a monastic mountain state Hellas, which has found a place on the giant steep rocks that resemble huge pillars-chimera. Are they in the mountains of Thessaly in northern i samuel 17 Greece near towns and Kastraki Kalambaka. In Greek "meteoros" - one that floats in the sky. This name was given them Athanasius, a monk who came here from Mount Athos and built the first monastery i samuel 17 here.
Even just driving up to a small town in Greece Kastraki, tall pillars of rock-impress look. A road-climbing snake that stretches over a deep abyss up - breathtaking. I finally know who was here earlier: Meteors must see! Describe the feeling experienced by these giant rocks, which housed the monastery hung in the sky, you can not.
Researchers i samuel 17 believe that the rocks appeared about 60 million years ago, when there was a vast sea. Under the action of geological forces of water, wind and temperature changes gradually formed stout stone "pillars". The first ascetics came to the rock, where the monastery of St. Stephen, no later twelfth century. They lived in seclusion in local caves, and the only thing that survived from those times - a small temple i samuel 17 of Mother Dup'yani. Subsequently, religious ascetics began to settle all the surrounding rock-pillars. In total there were 24 monasteries, the existing six. Most of them are based in the XIV century, usually two or three monks.
Great Meteora - the largest and oldest monastery i samuel 17 (of the Transfiguration, built in the fourteenth century, its founder Athanasius), which is rarely open to visitors, we were able to see. There is a total of six monks. It is situated on the highest rock whist 620 meters and an area of 50 hectares. Now here already have access, but to get to the monastery, we must overcome another 154 steep steps. Up to now, here, as in ancient times, and enjoyed hanging mesh on a special i samuel 17 rig to deliver different things. In order to pick up all the necessary building materials, held from 20 to 70. Everything, including food and people in these special nets raised to 1920. To pick just one person had to be more than an hour.
Guide said that the Bishop of Thessaloniki recently wanted to feel how monks here once raised grid and asked dopravyty it up the same way. And later said that he already i samuel 17 halfway mastered such fear that even forgot the "Our Father." And when I saw that the rope almost mashed - zmokriv to the skin. He then asked the monks when they change strings. Having heard the answer: "When peretyrayetsya and net falls" - thank God that got there alive ... It is said that the history of meteors over 200 hapless found their death at the foot of the cliffs in the fall and breakage of ropes. Therefore it is impossible to imagine how much effort and patience needed to make in order to reduce these monasteries. Now to get them also cable cars that extend over a cliff between the rocks. As they say, a picture is not for those with weak nerves.
Meteorski monasteries impress even its ancient Byzantine paintings, which you will not see in European i samuel 17 churches. The walls in the paintings described not only biblical and evangelical scene murals depicting hellish torture and suffering martyrs heads Beheading sword, i samuel 17 crucifixion, flagellation, burning at the stake. Also on the walls you can see many of the prophets, apostles, and saints. Quite a few icons that thousands of years (let them be applied). It was at Transfiguration Monastery is the original icon of the Virgin "immortal flower" which is written on a wall. It is very revered in Greek girls and unmarried women - it helps to find a pair. Another monastery, which visited - St. Stephen (elevation i samuel 17 573 feet), the only female here. Both monasteries beautifully renovated and luxurious shrubs, trees and flowers in the courtyard turn them into paradise. From the observation i samuel 17 deck offers great beauty Thessalian valley and surrounding towns like toy.
By this time in Meteora saved a lot of dishes and utensils, which was once used by the monks, especially the different drums - from the huge to the smallest (in the summer of the monks going down to prepare everything i samuel 17 necessary for the winter). Interesting monastery kitchen: i samuel 17 they built huge cauldron and built oven. Large refectory show that once had many monks. Mali and its hospital. Bones and skulls of the dead are stored in the "ossuary" (the color of the skull here know what spiritual condition d