Thessaly, Greece (Mainland)

Thessaly - home of the gods

Thessaly is less developed for tourism than the Peloponnesus and Attica, and thus it is mostly aficionados who travel to Thessaly. Thessaly does not possess as many ancient monuments as the Peloponnesus but the landscape south of the gods’ Mount Olympus and east of the Pindos mountain range is anything but boring: Thessaly offers not only attractive trekking routes but also some of the most beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean region. The best ones are located on the east coast of the Pilion peninsula, which is densely vegetated.

An extremely interesting destination for excursions is to be found in one of Greece’s most beautiful sceneries: the Meteora monasteries near the town Kalanbaka. Europe’s probably most secluded monasteries are situated upon stalactite-like stone pillars, quasi in the middle of the sky and the earth.

Until the first third of the 20th century, monks were hoisted in baskets to the top; today, an asphalted, well-frequented road leads through the rocks.

The monastery Agia Trias (Holy Trinity) is located in a height of 565 m and seems impossible to mount from a distance. This is probably the reason why the producers of the James Bond film “For Your Eyes Only” chose this setting for their film. Visitors get to the top via a quite corroded spiral stair.

The way up takes about 20 minutes but it is worthwhile since the view is impressing and the monastery is not overcrowded. On the top, you will have to pay an entrance fee to a Father; tourists arriving in shorts will be given a blanket to cover themselves.

picture source: pixelio.de / geo_thessalien.jpg

 

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