Nestled in Greece, the glorious mountaintop monasteries of Meteora attract travellers from across the globe. If you plan a
holiday to Greece, we recommend you visit these mystical monasteries. Before you book your
flight tickets, take a look at some of the interesting facts about these impressive monasteries.
1. Filming location for one of the James Bond movies
Initially, there were approximately 24 monasteries on these natural pillars of Meteora. Unfortunately, only six of them have survived till date; they include the Great Meteoron Monastery, the Holy Trinity Monastery, the Roussanou Monastery, St Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery, Varlaam Monastery and St Stephen’s Monastery. The shooting of the 1981 James Bond movie ‘For Your Eyes Only’ took place in the Holy Trinity Monastery; the scene where actor Roger Moore is seen climbing the rocks.
2. Home to a stack of skulls
The Great Meteoron Monastery is the oldest of the six surviving monasteries. It houses a sacristy where you’ll see a number of skulls lined up on a shelf. Any guesses, whose skulls are these? Well, yeah, they belong to the old monks who resided here.
3. Meteora translates to ‘Suspended in the Air’
In Greek, Meteora means - suspended in the air. Well, if you happen to catch a glimpse of these monasteries during the early morning hours, you’ll feel as though they are hovering in the air. So, now you know why they were named ‘Meteora’.
4. Place that exudes an old world charm
On your visit to these monasteries, treat your eyes to the impressive frescoes, wine cellars and room full of traditional baskets containing fruits. Admire the Greek culture and architecture which will surely take you back in time. These monasteries are the ultimate havens to experience inner peace and solitude.
5. A UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Meteora monasteries were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. They are revered as an unparalleled heirloom treasure. These artistic monasteries are part of the Monuments of World Cultural Heritage that display natural beauty and the Byzantine architecture at its best.
Author : Vijaylaxmi Thakur
