Monastery of St. John the Baptist, Meteora

The Monastery of St. John the Baptist is an Eastern Orthodox religious complex built atop a dramatic rock formation in the Meteora region of central Greece. The structure contains a central church, monks' living quarters, and storage areas carved into and built upon the natural stone foundation.

Monks first sought refuge on these rock formations in the 14th century, initially living as hermits before establishing organized monastic communities. Over subsequent centuries, the monks gradually built larger structures and developed a more formal monastic settlement.

The monastery displays interior decoration with religious artworks and frescoes that reflect the spiritual traditions of Eastern Orthodox monks who lived here. These painted walls show how monks expressed their faith through visual art across different time periods.

Access to the monastery is gained through improved pathways and modern lifting systems that make the steep climb more manageable. Visitors should wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared for stairs and narrow passages within the buildings.

The monastery was traditionally accessed only by rope ladders and pulleys, making it one of the most isolated spiritual communities in the region. This extreme remoteness was precisely what attracted monks seeking complete separation from the outside world.