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Meteora
Meteora. One of the most significant
monuments in the world, protected by UNESCO, the most important
one in Thessaly. The
most remarkable one, after Holy Mount Athos, Monastic Centre
in Greece. In the 11th century, the first hermits came on the
untrodden peaks of the imposing rocks and built the Skiti (hermitage)
of Doupiani. In the 14th century, holy Athanasios Meteoritis
formed the first organised monastic community on the rock of
Megalo Meteoro. Twenty four monasteries, many cells and hermitages
flourished, spread on all the rocks for more than 600 years.
Nowadays, only the monasteries of Megalo Meteoro, Variaam, Agia
Triada, Agios Stefanos, Rousanou and Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas
still exist and are in use. Everyday, innumerable visitors gather
here from all tour corners of the world to meditate and pray.
They get to know the life of the monks, admire the indescribable
nature and the artistic architecture and agiography, and study
the invaluable historic remains. Kalambaka stretches out before
them with the historic church of Maria's Ascension and Kastraki.
Picturesque places, hospitable people, rich cultural life and
modern tourist facilities. Luxurious hotels for the organisation
of conferences and stay, rooms to let, campings, taverns with
traditional cuisine, select bites, pure feta cheese, local wine
and tsipouro welcome the various visitors every season, offering
a real enjoyment and pleasure.
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