The Meteora is a rock formation in the regional unit of Trikala, in Thessaly, in northwestern Greece, hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, second in importance only to Mount Athos. The six monasteries are built on immense natural pillars and hill-like rounded boulders that dominate the local area. Between the 13th and 14th centuries, the twenty-four monasteries were established atop the rocks. Meteora is located near the town of Kalabaka at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains.
Landscape of Meteora
Meteora by night
The Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Rocks of Meteora
The Great Meteoron
Trikala is a city in northwestern Thessaly, Greece, and the capital of the Trikala regional unit. The city straddles the Lithaios river, which is a tributary of Pineios. According to the Greek National Statistical Service, Trikala is populated by 81,355 inhabitants (2011), while in total the Trikala regional unit is populated by 131,085 inhabitants (2011).
Image: Κεντρική γέφυρα Τρικάλων 3886 HDR
Image: Trikalaclocktower
Image: 59. Βυζαντινό ΚάστροΤρικάλων, παλιά πόλη Βαρούσι GR E44 0002
Image: Ναός Παναγίας Φανερωμένης, Βαρούσι Τρικάλων 3373