Photos: Giorgos Tatakis

The wild and inaccessible landscape of Meteora causes an awe that perfectly matches to the atmosphere of devoutness of the Orthodox Easter celebration. At this rocky formation, in central Greece, the monasticism found its natural home at the Byzantine period, about ten centuries ago. The "monastic state" of Meteora reached its heyday in the 16th and 17th century. A period when new monasteries established and Orthodox and Catholic buildings were built, decorated with exquisite art religious frescoes. But soon Meteora passed into decline phase, and today only the monasteries of the Transfiguration (one known as the "Great Meteor"), Varlaam, St. Nicholas Anapafsas of Rousanou, the Holy Trinity and St. Stephen are operating regularly. All other monasteries have been eliminated over the centuries. These six monasteries are open and attract many visitors that want to experience the atmosphere of deep religiosity, especially the Easter season.