Meteora, Greece

Enjoy more photos of the stunning monasteries and convents of Meteora.

Our jaws dropped at the sight of monasteries and convents perched at the zenith of natural stone towers. A prehistoric inland sea carved these formations; a lot of human labor created edifices atop them. Meteora is first and foremost a holy center for prayer and study. Photography inside the buildings is prohibited, visitors are limited and the monasteries are open on a rotating basis to limit interruptions. In fact, when the James Bond movie, "For Your Eyes Only," was filmed there, the Church insisted they completely camouflage the monasteries so they didn't appear on film. I may just have to watch a James Bond movie, just to see how they pulled off that feat.

Ladies must wear skirts and gentlemen long trousers to enter the premises. Appropriately attired, we explored the chapels with their elaborate frescoes. Martyred saints: beheaded, eaten by lions or stoned to death, were common motifs and somewhat disturbing to the children. We studied the two headed egret, symbol of the East/West schism dividing the Church. Besides the enthralling views and welcome breezes, the old elevator captured our imaginations. Before there were stairs to reach the monasteries, monks sat in cargo nets and were hoisted up by their bretheren, a first test of faith perhaps....

We knew we'd reached a convent when we smelled the gardenias. The nuns have enchanting gardens at the convents and it reminded me of visits to Bethlehem, Connecticut as a child. My mother took us to visit a cloistered nun she knew from college. It was there that I first smelled gardenia and honeysuckle perfumes, ate hand-churned, vanilla ice cream and joined the Latin masses. Indeed it made an enduring impression as did this visit to the holy communities in Meteora.

Thank you Melissa and Ken for recommending Meteora. It was definitely a highlight!