Volos is one of the largest and most attractive cities in Greece as well as one of the country's most prominent ports. However we were not here to see the city but to take a 2 hour drive across the plains of Thessaly to the Magnificent Monasteries of Meteora near the town of Kalambaka.

UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Meteora (translates as "middle of the sky" or "in the heavens above" or "suspended in the air") is one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in the world. The scenery is breathtaking. From the plains you suddenly come across the awe-inspiring huge sombre rocks of Meteora. These strange formations and the intimidating size of these rocks have to be seen to be believed. As yet no-one has been able to fully explain their unique formation.

We do not know when Meteora was first settled but the wildness and inaccessibility of the terrain provided a safe haven for hermits and later monks who, forsaking the world, hoped to see God more clearly in the thin blue air of their summits. The sight of the monasteries suspended in the air is both magical and astounding. In all there were 24 monasteries in Meteora, however today only 6 remain inhabited.

We visited the oldest (and most easily accessible) monastery - Agios Stephanos - which is now a convent. It is estimated that this monastery was probably settled before 1200AD. There are two churches inside the monastery and although photography is not permitted we were able to see the exquisite workmanship on the elegant domes, screens and altar. The wall paintings, the saintly relics and the gold embroidered maniples demonstrate that at one time this was considered the richest monastery in Meteora.

We then visited the Varlaam (Barlaam) Monastery which can be easily reached by climbing about 150 steps today but which could only previously be reached by scaling the steep cliff or being hauled up in a net. The nets are still used today to haul up food and other day-to-day necessities. The view from the top is well worth the climb as it offers a commanding view across the ranges. The cruciform church contains some outstanding frescoes from floor to ceiling that include an apocalyptic view of hell as well as a monastic treasury of relics, vestments and church vessels.

One can only look in wonder at how these monasteries were constructed. Clinging to the top edge of the enormous weather beaten rocks these monasteries leave an indelible impression.

A bit of history about Volos.....

Volos is the capital of the Magnesia region and is the only outlet to the sea from Thessaly, the country's largest agricultural region. The area's mythical background captivates the visitor's imagination. Magnesia features in some of the most remarkable tales in Greek mythology. The progenitor of its peoples was Magnes, son of Zeus and Aeolus, yet Magnesia is believed to be the birthplace of a strange race, the Centaurs, beings which were part equine, part human and originated from the union of Nephele and Ixion. Asclepius and Achilles were, among others, pupils of the Centaur Chiron. The famous Argonaut expedition, one of the greatest epics in the Greek mythological cycle, set sail from the Pagasetic Gulf.