The first Monastery
The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron, dedicated to the “Transfiguration of our Lord Savior,” is the biggest and oldest of the Meteora monasteries. It was called the monastery, which remains “suspended” (meteoro in Greek), because of the cliff formation of a gigantic rock on top of which it was built. Saint Athanasios the Meteorite founded the Great Meteoro Monastery, or in Greek “Megalo Meteoron,” in the 14th century.
He is celebrated as the first founder of the monastery and the initiator of organized monasticism for the whole region of Meteora. For this reason, this monastery’s foundation is considered a turning point, or even better, the beginning of organized monasticism for Meteora.
Athanasios was born around 1302 in the medieval town of New Patras, today’s Hypati, and his lay name was Andronikos. After becoming a monk, he lived for a few years in Athos before settling on the cliffs of Meteora.
The monastery of Great Meteoron celebrates as its second founder a Greek-Serbian Prince named Ioannis Uresis Paleologos. At 22, Ioannis denounced all his royal titles and followed Athanassios to become a monk, receiving the name Joasaph! Joasaph erected an elegant church in the newly founded monastery during the second half of the 14th century. A small part of its wall, which is embedded with the later 16th-century church, is still visible to the visitors.
The main church of the monastery of Great Meteoron was made in the mid-16th century. It is dedicated to the transfiguration of our Lord Savior and is decorated with beautiful 16th-century frescoes. Take time to gaze at the artistic details of some of Greece’s best samples of post-Byzantine art, found inside the church.
Don’t miss the chance to visit the monastery museum, where historical codices and religious icons of high value are on display. The monastery of Great Meteoron offers fantastic views of the surrounding landscape.
If you want to enjoy captivating views and learn more about the history of one of the most important monasteries in Meteora, join our Meteora Half-Day Tour. We will ensure that you won’t miss a thing!
Best time to avoid crowds
Arrive early in the morning, ideally before the first tour buses reach the monastery. Great Meteoron is the most famous and largest monastery in Meteora, so it gets busy quickly, especially in spring, summer, and early autumn. Late afternoon can also be quieter, but always check the closing time before planning your visit.
Best nearby monastery to combine with Great Meteoron
Combine Great Meteoron with Varlaam Monastery, located very close nearby. The two monasteries work well as a pair because they are among the most impressive in Meteora and can be visited without long transfers between them.
Photography tip
For the best exterior photos of Great Meteoron, don’t rush straight to the entrance. Stop at the viewpoints along the road before or after your visit, where you can capture the monastery perched dramatically on top of the rock. Morning light is often better for clearer views and softer shadows.
Parking / access tip
There is parking near the entrance, but spaces fill up fast during peak hours. Arriving early makes a big difference. From the parking area, expect a walk with steps, so comfortable shoes are strongly recommended. The access is not extremely long, but it can feel demanding in hot weather.
A: No. It is usually closed on Tuesdays. Check the latest schedule if visiting independently. Check the opening hours of Meteora monasteries here.
A: There are approximately 300 steps — steep but manageable with good walking shoes.
A: Visitors can explore the church, museum, ossuary, kitchen, and terraces with stunning views.
A: Absolutely. This is the largest and most complete monastery in Meteora, rich in history and architecture.
A: In each monastery there is an entrance fee of 5 euro per person. Kids up to 12 years old they don’t pay entrance fees in the monasteries.
A: There are many reasons not to want to drive while exploring Meteora — like if you’re not confident driving on the opposite side of the road, your spouse is a terrible copilot and you just want to have fun instead of arguing; or if you want to enjoy the scenic road and not to feel stress about the narrow and curvy roads. Lack of parking space outside the monasteries is especially frequent phenomenon during the pick period in the summer. So by joining one of our tours might save you a lot of headaches and unwanted distractions.
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