메테오라 수도원(meteora monastery )

공중에 떠 있는 수도원이라는 뜻의 메테오라. 영화 300의 촬영지로도 유명한 이곳은 그리스 여행의 필수 코스이다.

테살리아 평원의 중간중간 솟아 있는 기이한 모양의 봉우리에는 각각 수도원이 자리하고 있다.

높이가 낮게는 20m, 높게는 400m에 이른다. 그 꼭대기에 어떻게 수도원을 지었는지 정말 놀랍다.

깎아지른 듯한 절벽에 아슬아슬하게 걸쳐진 건물은 위태로움과 동시에 경이로움을 자아낸다.

1 | Sunset Rock

The two best viewing areas in Meteora are up top and have panoramic views of the valley and its monasteries. They are marked by parking signs where there are no monasteries nearby: the first is known locally as Sunset Rock, arguably the best location for sunset in Meteora, and the second doesn’t have a name but we’ve nicknamed it Sunrise Rock, check out number 2 for more details.

We visited Sunset Rock a number of times during our time in Meteora as it has the best view of the valley and monasteries and the Meteora rock formations and is ideal sunset viewpoint. From here you can see the sunset casting a soft light across the valley and lighting up the monasteries with a golden glow.

Photo Location: Sunset Rock is located at the top of Meteora in the first of the parking lots which does not have a monastery.

2 | Sunrise Rock

Our favourite Meteora viewpoint doesn’t have a name so we’ve nicknamed it Sunrise Rock as it is an amazing spot from which to capture the sunrise! Due to the high rock columns and deep valley of Meteora the morning rays take a long time to illuminate the valley resulting in strong contrasting shadows which can be difficult to photograph. Sunrise Rock has the highest elevation and hence the high vantage point which makes for the best sunrise opportunities and helps avoid the dark shadows cast by the rock formations.

Photo Location: Sunrise Point is located behind the next car park along the road after passing Sunset Rock.

3 | St Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery

The St Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery, perched atop a tiny rock, is other worldly and a true Meteora icon.

Photo Location: pull in opposite the entrance to the Roussanou Monastery.

4 | Varlaam Monastery

The second biggest monastery in Meteora was built during the 14th Century and has a stunning setting surrounded by the hills of Meteora with Roussanou in the background. It’s also a great location for sunrise.

Photo Location: park at the Great Metereon car park and walk back down the road towards Varlaam. Turn right out onto the grassy verge which lies between Varlaam and Great Metereon and walk down the path below.

 

Another great angle is Varlaam from the Great Metereon monastery where there are some really great natural frames of Varlaam.

 

Photo location: Both the steps up to Great Metereon and from inside Metereon itself have good angles.

5 | Roussanou Monastery 

There are a number of good photo locations for Roussanou. The first is from the roadside as you approach Sunset Rock where the angle is great to capture the contrast of the monastery against the backdrop of the Meteora hills.

Our second favourite location was from Sunset Point, where you can get great shots of Roussanou with Nicholas and Great Metereon on the background.

6 | Holy Trinity Monastery

One of the most iconic images of Meteora is that of Holy Trinity Monastery sitting perched upon a vertical column of rock. It’s the least visited of the monasteries, likely due to the difficulty of accessing it!

Photo Location: We found the best location required a little hiking and a scramble down the bank from the road to an elevated stretch of rock located in front of the monastery. To access the rock hike down from the apex of the bend, across the open grassy area and along the hiking path to the elevated rock.

Meteora Hiking Map

In Meteora you will never be alone. Busloads of tourists visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site each day. You can avoid them by a certain degree when taking a hike. The following map shows you two hiking trails in Meteora. One goes from the St. Nicholas Monastery to the Ypapanti Monastery. The second one leads you to the Holy Trinity Monastery and further down to the city of Kalambaka.