5 Reasons to Spend Easter in Meteora

Meteora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that everybody ought to go to a minimum of as soon as of their lifetime, particularly throughout Easter. With its 170 large rock pillars rising eerily above the Thessalian plain, its six stunning monasteries that kind Greece’s second largest monastic neighborhood, after that of Mount Athos, and its numerous hermitages nestled in caves, Meteora has a wealthy historical past that dates again to the hermits who first climbed the rocks and occupied the caverns within the eleventh century.

1. The solemn environment of the monasteries

Meteora’s reverent environment is simple, which is why it’s such a well-liked non secular tourism vacation spot. Whereas it’s attainable to go to the six still-functioning monasteries (Megalo Meteoron, Varlaam, Aghios Stefanos, Rousanou, Aghia Triada, and Anapafsas) to study monastic life and the priceless artefacts they home, attending the Easter companies there’s a singular expertise, because the breathtaking surroundings and austere simplicity of monastic life amplify the sense of religious focus they instill. Whereas the epitaph processions and Easter vigils are extra common at Meteora’s two largest monasteries (Megalo Meteoro and Varlaam), the sparse crowds within the different monasteries add to the expertise. On Maundy Thursday, don’t miss the Final Supper and Holy Ardour Providers on the Monastery of Varlaam.

2. Biking in Meteora

Biking is gaining recognition within the Meteora area, and it’s a wonderful approach for guests to discover the realm. Lease an e-bike and take a morning journey to the monasteries; go to places that supply breathtaking views of the area’s picturesque panorama and an opportunity to witness the good colours of the sky because the solar units within the night; or hire an e-mountain bike and observe the winding trails between the rocks to the hermitages, deserted monasteries, and native wineries. Multi-day excursions in the remainder of Thessaly are additionally accessible for many who have an interest. (meteoraebike.com)

3. Mountaineering and mountaineering

Earlier than the recent days of summer time arrive and Meteora now not lends itself to out of doors actions, you possibly can go mountaineering or mountaineering, each of that are nice methods to discover the realm. There are an estimated 870 climbing routes, the vast majority of that are reserved for skilled climbers as a result of hazard they pose. Climbing guidebooks by writer and climbing teacher Vangelis Batsios, in addition to some other info you might require, will be discovered at Paradeisos taverna in Kastraki (Tel. (+30) 24320.227.23), a well-liked hangout for climbers.

For many who take pleasure in mountaineering, a superb map is all you want. The outdated trails that when linked the monasteries and hermitages are nonetheless seen within the slim passes between the rocks and the area’s lush vegetation. Two simple and delightful routes are the one which begins in Kastraki and ends on the Holy Spirit rock, and the one which passes by way of the plateau between the Pixari, Bantova, and Abaria rocks earlier than arriving on the Monastery of Aghios Nikolaos of Bantova. An extended path leads from the Monastery of Anapafsas to the Monastery of Megalo Meteoro.

4. Foraging for truffles

The Natural History Museum of Meteora and Mushroom Museum organizes particular truffle hunts. This 12 months’s Easter hunts are scheduled for Could 4 and Could 6. Specifically educated truffle canine are used to seek for truffles, and the hunt is adopted by a mushroom tasting session and an out of doors preparation of truffle pasta. The museum additionally supplies guided excursions of its fascinating reveals and collections.

5. Aghios Georgios of Mantilas

On the feast of Aghios Georgios, on Easter Monday, locals and guests collect beneath the Stylos rock, simply outdoors the village of Kastraki, the place the hermitage of Aghios Georgios is positioned. Native climbers scale the rock to depart handkerchiefs as choices from the trustworthy and take away final 12 months’s choices, which they then distribute to the group, who hold them as charms; a spectacular custom to say the least.