GREAT METEOR MONASTERY

The Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior, better known as the Great Meteor, is built on a rocky peak at an altitude of 613 m above sea level. The monastery was founded in 1388 by Brother Athanasius and renovated by monks in 1484, as shown by an epigraph engraved on the south wall of the sanctuary. For all the monasteries in the region, food, visitors and luggage were brought up by means of a net suspended on a rope until 1923, when the 46-step staircase was built, leading to the monastery today. The church is similar to those found on Mount Athos: it is a cross-shaped church with a dome supported by twelve panels

First we enter the narthex, which rests on four columns. The frescos that cover the entire walls represent mainly scenes of martyrs of saints. Two absidioles frame the door separating the narthex from the sanctuary. In the one on the right is represented the baptism of Christ. Above the door, Christ surrounded by the Virgin and Saint John Prodrome. In the left abyss, Saint John Prodrome and a personification of the Jordan River. To the left and right of the central door, a superb representation of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. Also note the portrait of the founders, Athanase and Joasaph, who each hold the monastery in one hand

You can then enter the church sanctuary. In the abyss, representations of military saints wearing Serbian clothing, probably due to Joasaph's Serbian origins

Enter the nave of the church. Its length is 32 m. The inside of the dome shows the Creator, dominating the building and surrounded by many angels. All around the dome are representations of the Resurrection of Lazarus, the Palms, the Last Supper and Christ's descent into Hell. In the church, you can also admire a superb episcopal throne made of carved wood inlaid with mother-of-pearl, as well as a templum dating from 1791, made of carved wood, with animal and plant decorations. As you walk up the stairs leading to the interior of the sanctuary, you will have noticed the small house that was supposed to be the hermitage of Saint Athanasius. The other religious buildings of the sanctuary are the small chapel of Prodrome, which houses a very beautiful fresco representing the Creator surrounded by angels and a golden templum, and the small chapel of Saints Constantine and Helena, which houses a carved templum and is remarkable for its polygonal dome

Then go to the monastery's kitchen, one of the oldest monuments built on the rocky peak.

Next to it is the refectory, whose conch background is decorated with a fresco representing the two angels Gabriel and Michael. The stone table, where the superior ate, is preserved as well as two wooden tables where the monks ate. From the monastery hospital, behind the refectory, only the first floor remains. But you can still visit the cellars where the wine barrels were stored, as well as the old monks' cells. The winch, rope and net that lifted visitors to the top and the food needed for the monastery's life were kept in working order. They are still used today by monks.