We left Skyros early and our first stop was at Thermopyle, the place where the Spartans battled the Persians in an attempt to slow down their army so Athens could get organized enough to defend themselves. This is the place where the movie "300" would have taken place. At the side is a memorial of those who died for their country, and a statue (very recent) of Leonitus, the king of the Spartans, who died in combat.
Next, we went on to the town of Kalambakas. Kalambakas lies in the shadow of Meteora, the giant rock pinnacles that are one of the most beautiful and interesting natural landmarks. I did write about Meteora for one of my assignments, the link is on the right side of the page labelled "Site Sketches."
Honestly, pictures CANNOT do justice of this place. The rock is just something amazing. Driving around it on the way up the mountainside, was a cave where some monks live. How they manage to get up there, I have no idea. The first monastery we visited sat overtop two rock pinnacles. The entry on one, with a bridge connecting to the monastery itself. The inside church was very small and completely painted with images from the Greek Orthodox faith. (A branch off of Christian.) The second monastery was much bigger but appeared much newer. The paintings in the church were new and parts of it were still unfinished. From the courtyard, we got a spectacular view of Kalambakas.
The drive up to Meteora was almost scary. The roads in Greece are always a bit dangerous, but these were windy and steep, with the cliffside mostly unprotected. We went very high, very fast. We would spend only one night there before leaving the following day for Delphi.
Next, we went on to the town of Kalambakas. Kalambakas lies in the shadow of Meteora, the giant rock pinnacles that are one of the most beautiful and interesting natural landmarks. I did write about Meteora for one of my assignments, the link is on the right side of the page labelled "Site Sketches."
Honestly, pictures CANNOT do justice of this place. The rock is just something amazing. Driving around it on the way up the mountainside, was a cave where some monks live. How they manage to get up there, I have no idea. The first monastery we visited sat overtop two rock pinnacles. The entry on one, with a bridge connecting to the monastery itself. The inside church was very small and completely painted with images from the Greek Orthodox faith. (A branch off of Christian.) The second monastery was much bigger but appeared much newer. The paintings in the church were new and parts of it were still unfinished. From the courtyard, we got a spectacular view of Kalambakas.
The drive up to Meteora was almost scary. The roads in Greece are always a bit dangerous, but these were windy and steep, with the cliffside mostly unprotected. We went very high, very fast. We would spend only one night there before leaving the following day for Delphi.
The statue at Thermopyle:
The view from the first monastery, looking at an adjacent one:
Here is me at the first monastery, the view behind:
The view without me in the picture:
Part of the monastery, I imagine where the monks live:
The second monastery, heading toward the church:
From the courtyard at the second monastery, looking toward Kalambakas:
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