~ The Meteors ~ for Nathalie by virginiese
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Description
Hello Rendosians !
Today, I chose to upload a photography of the famous Meteors (Μετέωρα).
The Meteors are orthodox monasteries built on high rocky formations in the region of the Thessaly plains (Θεσσαλία). At the feet of the rocky formations, you can see a town named Kalambaka ( Καλαμπάκα).
The rocky formations are the outcome of the erosion when the plain was covered by the sea.
Athanase was the first one to build a monastery during the 14th century but shepherds and hermits already lived in caves there in the 11th century.
Twenty-four monasteries were built on these rocky formations. Now, some are still inhabited, others are abandoned or devastated by wars.
Monks and nuns who live in these monasteries are persons who want to live a more religious life but they have no religious formations and are not habilitated to celebrate a mass (they have to ask to a Pope to celebrate a mass with them).
Nevertheless, they live from tourism, donations and they also sell religious items such as the famous icons. They live pretty well and pay no taxes : they are considered as the richest category of the Greek society with the shipowners.
The relations with the citizens are a little bit tense because they buy many properties in the valley and they intend to build a bigger monastery.
The Greek government seems to be death and blind : you never say anything to those who have money...
I hope you'll like this photography and thanks for your nice comments on my last picture !
Hugs
Virginie
Comments (23)
photosynthesis
Very dramatic view. I'm wondering how they get up there - are there roads, trails or stairways on the other side?
virginiese
Since 1920 they have stairways. Before they used baskets hanging to pulleys !
ArtistKimberly
"Epic"
eekdog Online Now!
Breathtaking shot, place and pov.
MagikUnicorn
Superbe ces anciens tube de lave sortie du sol y a des millions d'années :)
weesel
And every room/cell has a 5-star view. Neat. Zoom, folks.
A.C.Wolfe
Absolutely amazing
PhthaloBlue
Beautiful photo!
Faemike55
Fabulous photo and very interesting history
gaius
Imaginons ensemble les hordes de touristes avec leurs appareils photo ou, pire, leurs téléphone...faisant cette photo ou une photo proche. Maintenant question : combien ont rapporté un aussi beau cliché ? Quelques uns seulement ! Certes, tu as donné un coup de HDR à ton image mais, à la base, elle était déjà parfaite. Tiens, ça me donnerait presque envie de me faire ermite ! (au moins, j'échapperais à la dinguerie du monde !)
bobrgallegos
A spectacular capture!!
prutzworks
cool postcard, thanks for the info
Richardphotos
I would love to spend a couple of weeks up there. outstanding subject and photo
sossy
what a view and stunning village on the rocks! reminds me of the online game world of warcraft where you can find same monasteries on high rocks! in your amazing capture the surface of the rocks are very impressive too 😃
KarmaSong
Un site à couper le souffle, universellement connu comme le dit Gaius, mais le traitement-photo ici le met en valeur de manière majestueuse et moins austère que la vie qu'ont du mener ces religieux qui faisaient voeux d'isolement et de réclusion pour se rapprocher du divin. Une superbe photo de plus dans ta galerie personnelle, Virginie !
aksirp
ohh, would like to do your trip in greece, must be hot and wonderful😄 great capture of monasteries!
Jean_C
Une vue de ce site à couper le souffle! Cet endroit est vraiment fabuleux, et ta photo le met splendidement en valeur! Merci de partager, Virginie!
UteBigSmile
atlas7
Une bien belle image qui me donne envie d'aller visiter ces monastères... Super présentation aussi ! Bravo !
emmecielle
Wonderful capture, dear Virginie! A big hug from the warm and sunny Sicily (we had days with 43/45 Celsius degrees)! :)
Mondwin
Superbe image mon amià!!!Bravissima!V:DDD.Regarder Whylma
junge1
Wow, what a fantastic capture of this beautiful landscape Virginie. Interesting historical information and I also find your observations about their way of life very interesting especially about the haves and have nots in Greece.To a certain extend this happens in other places too. The Vatican comes to mind when thinking about that. I have been to Greece, and I love it, but somehow I missed this..
anitalee Online Now!
Wonderful
aeonmoon
Great scenery!