Travelogue in Kalambaka – Kastraki – Meteora Monasteries

The ancient name of Kalambaka, According to historians Strabo and Livy, it was Aeginion. The 167 B.C. destroyed by Roman conquerors and 11^The century. when they rebuilt, named Stagi. During the Ottoman rule prevailed name Kalambaka, means "strong fortress». Today Kalampaka is a town of L.. Trikala. Located at the foot of Pindos, west of Thessaly plain and the left bank of the River Pinios.

It is from Trikala 22 km, by Larissa 83 km, from Ioannina 104 km, from Thessaloniki 229 and from Athens 352 km. Kalambaka worth to see Cathedral Assumption of Mary. built in the 10^The or 11^The century. on the ruins of an early Christian church and is of type basilica without dome. Separate attraction in the temple is the marble Pulpit, located in central and hagiographies of painter Neophytos, son of the great icon painter Theophanes.

KASTRAKI

Under the huge volumes of Meteora is a small picturesque village Kastraki. During the Ottoman Empire became a refuge for Epirus, in order to escape from Ali Pasha.

Sightseeing are few ruins Byzantine Castle and chapel Panagia Doupiani (13^th), located on the road to the monasteries of Meteora. It is a small rectangular temple, Bounce and unique attraction, inside the, the full-length paintings of Christ and the Virgin Mary.

Rock lying just above the small church, has been the "Cloister of drop», where they lived many monks. Because hermit monks used the Church of the Virgin Mary to celebrate every Sunday the Mass the Church called "Lord». In the opposite cliff, dent in, there is little Monastery of St. George Mandila. It got its name from the custom of the faithful to hang on the gray rock colored scarves, as tributes.

Upon delivery this custom prevailed when a Turk went to cut wood in the forest, which was below the monastery and became paralyzed as punished by St.. His mother Turku, although heathen, He gave the veil of the Holy for the child to get well. When the Saint did the miracle then she went to the monastery and hung his handkerchief. Thereafter Christians continued the custom until today.

Each year, day of the feast of St. George, believers Kastrakinoi, trying to climb the rock, risking their lives, as a sign of respect and gratitude to the Holy. Access to the monastery is very difficult and requires climbing skills. Kastraki because of its location has developed into a tourist village with many hotels in the region, brown, restaurants etc..

For anyone who wants a different way of accommodation there are some camping in the area around Kastraki. Indicatively the camping Rock (www.campingkastraki.com, tel. +302432022293, +302432023744) and camping Meteora Garden (www. camping-meteοra-garden, tel. +302432075566, +302432022727).

METEORA

Geological Meteora Rocks are sandstone and stand material in this position for 60 million years. are the 2^or Monastic Community in Greece, with 1^or This monastic Community of Mount Athos. It belongs to the World Heritage of UNESCO (1988) so it receives thousands of visitors each year. Meteora spaced from Kalambaka about 4 km from Kastraki, located midway of the same route, 1,9 km.

MONASTERIES METEORA

The Monasteries of Meteora created by the need for isolation of the first hermits and ascetics. At first (3^th), the worship of God was in caves, in cloisters and in several distant places. Slowly began the cenobitic life, with the monks to participate together in prayer and so formed the first monasteries. Prayer for the monk is continuous and is the spiritual food and the main work of. The Eucharist performed in any convent, the Catholic, ie the main church of each monastery.

IM. SAINT NICHOLAS rest

On the way from Kastraki to IM. St. Nicholas Anapafsas, at the foot of the sacred rock, First there are the ruins of the old Prodromos Monastery (1634-1653 A.D.). Then ascend to the IM. St. Nicholas Anapafsas. Because the rock on which was built the monastery is small in size, the Monastery developed height in storeys. On the ground floor of the monastery there is a small chapel (4 sq.m.) dedicated to St. Anthony and the first floor is the Church of St. Nicholas Anapafsas. Resting name in one version was the name of the old owner of but most likely is the version to be named by the peace and rest that offer the rocks of Meteora.

The founders of the Church were Metropolitan Dionysios of Larissa, later monk St. Dionysius the Merciful and the Exarch drop, Nicanor.

The monastery is famous for the extraordinary beauty of the paintings, work of painter Theofanis Strelitza or Bathas. The great painter was born about the 1500 and died in Heraklion, Crete 1559 he taught Byzantine iconography of the Cretan School and reported in the Neophytos son. Other monasteries that were painted, Monastery of Agia Lavra and the Monastery of Mount Athos Stavronikita, where permanently remained there agiografontas.

Admirable is the hagiography with Adam naming the animals, the image of the Virgin with the Holy Child, wherein holding the long fingers of the hand of, the Assumption of St. Nicholas, Saint Athanasios Meteorites etc.. On the second floor there is the Bank of the monastery of welcoming visitors and Sacristy where many monks kept skulls. Access to the monastery is on a steep road with carved stairs. The IM. St. Nicholas is a male monastery and remains closed on Fridays, winter and summer (tel. 2432022278, 2432075398).

IM. Rousanos

The name of the monastery took the perhaps the first founder of called Rousanos which probably came from the village Rosana. Other sources say as early founders of the monastery the monks Nicodemus and Benedict (1288). Some inscriptions preserved learn that the monks Ioasaf and Maximus, two brothers from Epirus, They built the main church on the ruins of the old church of the Transfiguration.

The IM. abandoned and sacked through the years. Find relics are preserved in the Sacristy of the Holy Monastery. Great Meteora. The monastery has three floors. On the middle floor is the temple of Transfiguration, type two-columned cruciform with a dome and its Sanctuary to face north.

Remarkable are the paintings you see in the narthex of the church, like the "Preparation of the Throne», the lintel of the Gate that leads to the Catholic and the frescoes found in the nave. These frescoes are works of painters of the Cretan School (1560). Upstairs are the cells and the reception area of visitors. The IM. Rousanou nunnery and is closed in winter and summer every Wednesday (tel. 2432022649, 2432022519).

IM. Varlaam

The first monastery was founded by the hermit Barlaam (14^th), who lived alone in a cell and built the church of the Three Hierarchs. After death Moni deserted until 16^The century. wherein two brothers, The Theofanis and Nektarios, monks from the neighboring IM. Great Meteora came n 'restoration of the ruins of the small church. Quickly the priory of monks grew and then a second church was built dedicated to All saints (1542). They are cross type, tetrastyle, with two domes, Temple and the narthex and sizable Catholic. in tO. the narthex of the church is the tomb of the two founders, Theofanis and Nektarios.

The nave and the sanctuary have been painted by the great painter of the Cretan school, Fraggades Katelano. He painter has painted the monastery of Great Lavra of Mount Athos. In the niche of the sanctuary survives hagiography Platytera golden dress and mode of Angels. The dome of St. Step depicted Jesus with gold dress. The four corners of the dome adorn the four Evangelists. The narthex frescoes made by George priest Sakelarios from Thebes by his brother Frangos.

In the sacristy of the monastery icons kept (17^th), as the Virgin with Angels and Three Hierarchs, an epitaph embroidered with gold thread (17^th), the Gospel of Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus etc.. The IM. Varlaam is a male monastery in winter is closed, every Thursday and Friday in summer, every Friday (tel. 2432022277, 2432075386).

IM. METAMORFOSEOS – Great meteor

The monastery is built on a cliff 613 m from the sea. Due to the large area of rock (60 ha.) called "Old Platylithos". The first founder of the monastery was the hermit Athanasios (14^th), the subsequent Agios Athanasios Meteorites. For 10 some years lived as a hermit on the rock (1333) known as the "Pillar of the drop ', in a cave. The small church that existed was originally dedicated to the archangels and later the Holy Spirit. Along the hermit and elder Stylites Gregory. Today the rock called the rock of the Holy Spirit and be visited.

Agios Athanasios with 14 monks digging holes in the rock managed and climbed on top of where the form commune began to form the first monastic community. He called the "meteor" convent because it was taller than the other rocks. There initially built a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary (Notre Meteoritissas Petra, 1340) and later, in the same place built a new church dedicated to the Transfiguration. The old church was the Catholic Monastery of the new.

Second founder of the monastery and continuer of St. Athanasius project was his student, monk Saint Ioasaf, Former Serb leader John Uros Paleologos. Saint Ioasaf built the 1544 new temple in place of the old, and that he was the new Catholic monastery.

The IM. Metamorfossis is Athonite formula, cross with a twelve-sided dome. In the narthex is the tomb of the founders Athanasios and Ioasaf, with their forms hagiographic keep the monastery in their hands. Remarkable is the wooden temple, the Episcopal Throne and the frescoes of the church, unknown artists.

Other constructions are the Hearth (kitchen) a small domed building and next to the old Bank (1557), a length property 30 m and width 12 m. which now is Museum. The roof rests on five columns with single and double arches and ends in niche with the image of the Virgin Mary and the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Also survived the first floor of the old Hospital - Nursing Home (1572). It is a nice building with a central dome resting on four pillars, eight lateral vaults decorated with shapes of tiles.

In the museum are kept among other icons, plated Gospels, a twofold image of the Virgin, tribute sister of the founder of the monastery Ioasaf, chrysobull section signed by the Emperor Paleologos, a Grand Cross of silver (16^th), an embroidered epitaph (14^th) etc..

Next to the Catholic monastery there is the small chapel of St. John the Baptist (1682) and the chapel of Saints Constantine and Helen (1789). On the ground floor of the northwest wing of the cells is the newest chapel of St. Nektarios with very beautiful paintings on the walls.

Old ascent to the monastery was made by scaffolding that had placed the monks on the rock and later became the net (vrizoni). But the 1922 who carved the 146 steps, by passing through a short tunnel, You can rise comfortably in one monastery.

Today, in the monastery entrance, Tower survives with vrizoni which is a small museum, with everyday objects of the time. The IM. Great Meteora is male monastery in winter is closed, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in summer, every Tuesday (tel. 2432022278, 2432075398).

IM. YPAPANTIS

Located 30 minutes of IM. Transfiguration, which owns and is built in a cave. First founder of the Abbey (14^th) It was the monk Nile, Abbot of the Monastery of Panagia Doupiani. Today only saved the Church of the Visitation who has remarkable hagiographies preserved in very good condition. The monastery is closed for visitors.

IM. St. Stephen

It is the richest monastery of Meteora and stands on a huge rock, above the town of Kalambaka. Access is very easy for the visitor as it reaches very comfortable to the entrance of the monastery. There is a permanent bridge 8 m. connecting the monastery with the opposite rock 'Hood». The first hermit reached here 1192. Later the monk Jeremiah made the Church of St. Stephen, the hermitage, the cells and the tank for rainwater.

Then the monastery stood by Anthony Kantakouzenos, later Abbot of the monastery and Philotheos from Siataina (14^th). The 1798 the church of Saint Charalambos was built and since then the monastery has two names that Aghios Stefanos and Agios Charalambos.

OR church of St. Stephen (15^th) It is of type basilica with a wooden roof. Remarkable is the carved iconostasis with depictions of plants and animals, the Episcopal Throne and the paintings preserved in good condition.

OR church of Saint Charalambos They are cross type, registered in a central dome and two smaller.

You will see the wooden temple with gilded cross on top, the throne and the wooden ciborium located in the Sanctuary, on the altar with the head of St. Stephen.

Other buildings of the monastery is Despotiko, Hestia and accommodation that welcome visitors.

In the Sacristy of the Monastery there are several relics, such cross with gemstones (18^th), three Gospels, many icons eg. Virgin Mary with the Holy Child (16^th ), embroidered Epitaph( 17^th), manuscripts (17^th), a Grail (17^th) etc..

Think the youngest monastery of Meteora and the 1961 to the IM today. St. Stephen is female. The monastery is closed on Mondays, winter and summer (tel. 2432022279, 2432078322).

IM. HOLY TRINITY

The monastery is located in the most beautiful part of Meteora with panoramic view over the Thessalian plain and the high peaks of the Pindos Mountains. Founded rather 1456 or 1458 possibly founder monk Dhometios. The monastery consists of two churches, the Bank, cells and ancillary areas. Survives the Tower with net (vrizoni) who climbed the rock monks. Today the access to the monastery is the 140 stairs carved in 1925 initiative of Abbot Nikandros. The circular chapel located at the entrance of the monastery is St. John the Baptist and the frescoes are of 17^th century.

The monastery is dedicated to the Holy Trinity and belongs to type two-columned, cruciform, domed. It consists of the narthex, the nave and the sacristy. Noteworthy is the gilded iconostasis with Christ, dressed in the local "Karagouniko 'attire and the icon (18^th).

On the right side of the sanctuary was the sacristy (1684) which contained valuable relics, vestments and images but unfortunately looted over the years. Spared from looting the skull of Saint Tryphon, some old pictures that are hosted in the sacristy of the monastery Barlaam and 40 manuscripts found in the Monastery of St. Stephen.

The IM. Holy Trinity male monastery and remains closed to visitors in winter, Wednesdays and Thursdays in summer, every Thursday (tel. 24320-22220, 24320-77123).

MUSEUM OF DIGITAL IMAGING METEORON

The Digital Imaging Museum opened in Meteora 26-5-17 Kalambaka. By visiting the Museum will watch 3D projection digital display of Meteora, from their creation to their current configuration. Also in 3D, you can virtually tour the Meteora rocks and monasteries.

EVENTS – ACTIVITIES

METEORA ART, held annually in Kalambaka, During the summer months of July – September. They include many events, mainly theatrical and musical performances with dancing and singing (free entrance).
The MILL elf, every Christmas in Trikala.

FEATURED HOTELS

Sofas Meteora Hotel, 5*, IT'S THE. Trikala-Ioannina tel. : 2432023330, www.divadimeteorahotel.com, email : [email protected]

Tbalance Hotel, 3*, Meteora 59, Kastraki : tel. : 2432022438, www.tsikelihotel.gr, email : [email protected]

Grand Meteora Hotel, Kastraki, tel. : 2432077707

Hotel Antoniadis, 4*, Trikala 148, Kalambaka, tel. : 2432024387, 2432023419, email : [email protected]

Hotel Kaikis, 3*, Trikala 146, Kalambaka, tel. : 2432075280, www.hotelkaikis.gr, email : [email protected]

Theatro Hotel Odysseon, 3*, Patr. Demetriou 54, Kalambaka, tel. : 2432094444, email : i[email protected]

Rex Hotel Kalambaka, 3*, Patr. Demetriou 11, Kalambaka, tel.: 2432025362, email : [email protected]

Hotel Kastraki, 3*, Patr. Demetrios A., Kalambaka : tel. 2432075336, www.hotelkastraki.gr

Alsos House, 3*, Kanari 5, Old Town Kalambaka : tel. 2432024097, www.alsoshouse.gr

Pyrgos Adrachti, 3*, Kastraki, tel. : 2432022275, www.hotel-adrachti.gr, email : [email protected]

Iridanos Boutique Hotel, 4*, Holy Triad, Kalambaka, tel. : 2432024552, www.iridanos-questhouse.gr, email : [email protected]