Meteora rocks were formed about 60 million. Years ago, when, instead of the plain in the area were a prehistoric sea. Under the influence of water, wind and temperature changes are gradually formed massive stone pillars as if hovering in the air. Translated from the Greek "meteora" means "floating in the air."
Situated these stone sculptures near the town of Kalampaka, which is 300 km from Athens. The average height of the rock formations - 300 meters, but some of them reaching 600 meters in height.
Many modern climbers do not risk climbing the round, almost perpendicular walls of unusual rocks. But looking up at the top of the pillars, it can be seen - almost all of them there is a temple.
On winding mountain paths, you can climb to the top of many pillars, with spectacular views of the valley of the river Pinos. According to legend, the first hermit monks appeared in these inaccessible and rocky, cut off from the world of the rocks even in the IX century. They lived in the rocky recesses and natural caves, and created a number of small areas for a joint study of spiritual texts and a prayer. Later, constant raids of robbers forced the monks to leave their caves and monasteries built on the tops of rocks.
It is difficult to imagine how much work it took to build these monasteries in such extreme conditions. Before 1920 temples were closed to outsiders - the monks led a very secluded life, and food they brought from neighboring towns. Transportation of parcels on top of the rocks was carried out with the help of ropes and baskets.
At the foot of the cliff every temple had before it a piece of land, which the monks cultivated and grown vegetables and fruit there. They go up and down by means of a complex network systems, baskets, ropes and carts. If the bottom there was a danger, the inhabitants of the monastery terminated all contact with the outside world - lifted the rope and net, then no one could disturb their peace and harmony.
No matter how trying the hermits protect their territory different tricks and traps, the temples were still destroyed and devastated. Has survived until today, only 6 of the 24 monasteries that once crowned top of the rocks. They are priceless wealth: unique frescos, icons, medieval manuscripts and other ancient relics. By acting now are monasteries of St. Nicholas Anapafsas, Varlaam, Rusanov, the Great Meteor, the Holy Trinity and St. Stephen.
Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapafsas was founded at the beginning of the XIV century the city of Larissa Metropolitan Dionysius. It is a small monastery, which is relatively easy staircase. It has a unique design - a small area of the rock on which the monastery was built, forced the monks to build cells, churches and other buildings on several levels.
On the first level of the monastery is a small chapel of St. Anthony and the crypt, which contained relics and manuscripts, the second is the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, the third - Restored Chapel of St. John the Baptist, frescoed dining room, as well as the vault for storing relics.
The view from the other side:
Varlaam monastery was founded in 1517 by monks, priests Theophanes and Nektarios. It got its name in honor of the monk who in 1350 first settled on top of a cliff and built a church dedicated to the Three Hierarchs, the water tank and the cell for himself. No one else followed suit Barlaam, and after his death, this is the place for a long time been neglected until two rich brothers Theophanes and Nektarios not founded a monastery there.
Rusanov Monastery - a convent, founded in 1545 by brothers Maxim and Joasaph. It is located on a low cliff, it covers a total area of its surface, and consists of three levels. At the first level are the cells and the church, and the other two levels are occupied residential premises, exhibition and reception hall, as well as additional 'chambers. The interior of the monastery is decorated with beautiful paintings, precious lectern, icons and wooden altar carved and gilded. The nuns who live here have a reputation of being very friendly and hospitable women, often treats its guests with candies and sweets.
Great Meteor (Transfiguration Monastery) - is the largest and oldest meteorsky monastery, founded in the beginning of the XIV century St. Athanasius Meteorskim. He first rose to the highest mountain and built a modest church and cells for the monks. His successor was St. Joseph, Serbian king who in 1373 refused to secular power, to become a monk. During his stay in the monastery, he rebuilt the Church of the Transfiguration, built a hospital and a reservoir.
In 1552, on the creation of murals in the monastery he worked famous artist Theophanes. These murals are one of the best examples of post-Byzantine monumental painting. The temple has a fine collection of icons, manuscripts and holy relics.
Holy Trinity Monastery - a monastery located on the top of one of the most graceful and spectacular cliffs of Meteora. To get to the monastery can be reached by 140 steps cut into the rock in 1925, making it the most austere and serene monastery, since not everyone has the strength to overcome this difficult path.
According to history, the monks settled here in the beginning of the XIV century, but the present monastery was built in the period 1458-1476 gg. Today in the Holy Trinity monastery lives only a few monks, which creates a special atmosphere of privacy and tranquility.
No comments:
Post a Comment