Meteoria Monasteries Are Greek Architectural Marvel

Centuries-old monasteries are built into 1300-feet-tall rock pillars.

May 6, 2017 5:00 am
(Great Big Story/YouTube)
(Great Big Story/YouTube)

The Greek monasteries of Meteora are one of the world’s unsung wonders, which is why they were recently featured by Great Big Story.

Meteora (which means “suspended in space”) is a set of Greek Orthodox monasteries built into rock pillars during the 14th and 16th centuries. Using a Rube Goldberg-esque system of ropes, pulleys, baskets and ladders, the monks were able to build these monasteries 1300 feet above the ground with only minimal disturbance of the surrounding environment.

Taken as a whole, Meteora is an architectural marvel that demonstrates not only mechanical ingenuity and meticulous planning, but a reverence for the Earth that stands as a lesson to the modern world.

Scroll down to watch Great Big Story’s video about Meteora.

The InsideHook Newsletter.

News, advice and insights for the most interesting person in the room.