Meteora is a remarkable complex of Eastern Orthodox monasteries perched atop towering sandstone pillars in central Greece's region of Thessaly. From about the 11th century hermits began to dwell on the peaks. By the 14th and 15th centuries, during political turmoil, twenty-four monasteries were erected on the nearly inaccessible summits, many built or remodeled in the 16th century. Only six remain active today, reachable via stairs and bridges carved into rock. These monasteries are renowned for their exquisite Byzantine frescoes painted by masters such as Theophanes the Cretan, for their spiritual retreat, and for combining natural geology and monastic architecture in dramatic harmony. They have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988.
Location: Thessaly, Greece
Coordinates: 39.72, 21.63
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