The Meteora Monasteries

Volos, Greece

Looking at our view from the dock in Volos, you would never know what incredible beauty was just a short distance away. We hired Nicholas, of Taxi in Volos (teacher turned driver/unofficial tour guide), to take us to see the Meteora Monasteries, about two hours away. The name Meteora means to “hang in midair” and these amazing structures seem to do just that. The building of the monasteries began in the 14th century, using pulleys and ropes to haul construction materials, and by the 16th century 13 monasteries had been completed. The six that remain today are run by ascetic monks, and largely supported by visitors who are willing to climb the hundreds of steps to these architectural wonders in the sky.

As we drove along the twisting road, stopping at four of the monasteries, Nicholas shared his views on everything from the history of Meteora, the financial crisis in Greece, American politics, television, movies and music. His commentary was very entertaining and his English was excellent, so good in fact that he even understood our slang and jokes.

On our return we stopped in the hills and could see Berkeley East surrounded by the city of Volos