The Meteora monasteries are perched upon the summits of some precipitous and isolated rocky pinnacles, which rise above the almost flat valley of the Pinios river, 9 km beyond Kalambaka, where visitors can find accommodation. The monastic history of Meteora goes back to the 11th century AD, when the monks constructed inaccessible eagle’s nests in the crannies of these rocks. The first monasteries were not built until the 14th century A.D., but it was not until the 16th century A.D. that most of monasteries were constructed along with the renovations made to the older ones. It is said that over 20 monasteries were inhabited. Today only four are occupied, these are Megalo Meteoro, Moni Varlaam, Moni Agias Triadas and Moni Agiou Stefanou.

Megalo Meteoro  
It is built on the tallest and largest rock in the district called “Platylithos “ and known thereafter as “Meteoro” and is the most imposing of all the Meteora monasteries. It was built by, Saint Athanasios Meteoritis in the 14th century. One must climb 250m from the parking lot to the front gate.

Moni Varlaam  
It is also called Moni Agion Panton. In 1350, Varlaam was the first monk that came here, founded the chapel dedicated to the Three Hierarchs. The present monastery was found in 1518 and then was that two more churches were added. One dedicated to All the Saints and the second to St. John the Baptist.

Moni Agias Triadas  
This monastery is dedicated to the Holy Trinity, was founded by the monk Dometios. It stands on a rock of about 100 m high and one has to climb 140 steps carved into the rock to gain access to it.

Moni Agiou Stefanou  
In the 15th century AD Antonios Katakouzinos, son of the Despot of Epirus, founded the monastery of Agios Stefanos. It was separated from the rest of the mountain by a ravine, straddled now by an 8 meter long bridge.