| Holy Spirit | |
|---|---|
| Agion Pneuma | |
 View of the Holy Spirit Rock from Kastraki | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 600 m (2,000 ft) [1] |
| Coordinates | 39°43′08″N21°37′29″E / 39.71889°N 21.62472°E [2] |
| Geography | |
| Location | Meteora |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | Thessaly |
| Regional unit | Trikala |
| Settlement | Kalabaka |
The Holy Spirit Rock or Holy Ghost Rock, also known as the Agion Pneuma in Greek, is a rock in the Meteora rock formation complex of Thessaly, Greece. [3]
The Monks' Prison ( Filakaé Monakón ) ( 39°43′13″N21°37′38″E / 39.72028°N 21.62722°E ) is built in long vertical crevice on the eastern side of the Holy Spirit Rock. [4] From Kastraki, it can be reached via an unmarked hiking trail.
The ruins of the Agiou Pneuma Monastery ("Monastery of the Holy Spirit") are located on the rock ( 39°43′06″N21°37′30″E / 39.71833°N 21.62500°E ). The Monastery of the Holy Spirit is built on a 300-metre high cliff. A path carved into the cliff leads to the church, which has survived to this day. The frescoes have completely decayed. The altar, sacristy, and prayer book are carved into the rock, and at the entrance to the right is a carved coffin where the clergyman's grave is located. To the left of the shrine are two cisterns for collecting rainwater. There are abandoned cells and trees in several places. At the top of the cliff is an iron cross, said to have been erected by the Serbian king Stefan Dušan. [5]
The Monastery of St. George of Mandila ( 39°43′06″N21°37′21″E / 39.71833°N 21.62250°E ) is also located on the rock. Kerchiefs (mandilia) are traditionally hung at the cave entrance. It may have been one of the four monasteries founded around 1367 by Neilos, the Prior of the Skete of Stagoi. The Cave of St. George of Mandila may be the same as the Cave of Archimandrite Makarios near Pigadion. [4] The base can be easily reached from Kastraki, but rock climbing is needed to reach the actual cave.
Stylos Stagon (Στύλος Σταγών), a rock pillar, is part of the Holy Spirit rock complex. [4]
The Monastery of Theostiriktos (Μονή Θεοστηρίκτου) is located in the Holy Spirit Rock area, but its exact location is uncertain. [4]
A network of trails surrounding the rock can be reached from the village of Kastraki.
The Meteora is a rock formation in the regional unit of Trikala, in Thessaly, in northwestern Greece, hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, second in importance only to Mount Athos. The six monasteries are built on immense natural pillars and hill-like rounded boulders that dominate the local area. Between the 13th and 14th centuries, the twenty-four monasteries were established atop the rocks. Meteora is located near the town of Kalabaka at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains.
Vardzia is a cave monastery site in southern Georgia, excavated from the slopes of the Erusheti Mountain on the left bank of the Kura River, thirty kilometres from Aspindza. The main period of construction was the second half of the twelfth century. The caves stretch along the cliff for some five hundred meters and in up to nineteen tiers. The monastery was an important cultural center, a place of significant literary and artistic work.
Kalabaka is a town and seat of the municipality of Meteora in the Trikala regional unit, part of Thessaly in Greece. The population was 11,492 at the 2021 census, of which 8,573 in the town proper. The Meteora monasteries are located near the town. Kalabaka is the northwestern terminal of the old Thessaly Railways, now part of OSE.
Theopetra Cave is a limestone cave located in Theopetra village of Meteora municipality, Thessaly, Greece. It is situated on the northeast side of a limestone rock formation that is 3 km (2 mi) south of Kalambaka. The site has become increasingly important as human presence is attributed to all periods of the Middle and Upper Paleolithic, the Mesolithic, Neolithic and beyond, bridging the Pleistocene with the Holocene.
The Monastery of Great Meteoron is an Eastern Orthodox monastery that is part of the Meteora monastery complex in Thessaly, central Greece. It is situated on top of a rock called Meteora or Platylithos, which is 415 metres above the Pineios valley floor.
The Monastery of St. Varlaam is an Eastern Orthodox monastery that is part of the Meteora monastery complex in Thessaly, central Greece. It is situated at the top of a rocky precipice that is 373 metres above the valley floor.
Kastraki is a village in Kalabaka municipal unit, Trikala, Thessaly, Greece. It is located on the northwest of the main municipal unit of Kalabaka. Kastraki takes advantage of a small valley opening into the southwest side of the Meteora massif. It is thus surrounded by precipices except on the west side, at the entrance to the valley. That entrance is flanked by two rock columns, one on each side, Agio Pnewma and Surloti. It has some elevation over the river, but not excessive. At the head of the valley stands a tall, thin rock, called Spindle Rock. Beyond it the massif does not allow for urban settlement. The monasteries are sprinkled on various tall precipices.
Dupiani or Doupiani is a rock in the Meteora rock formation complex of Thessaly, Greece. It is located within the village of Kastraki and is located directly adjacent to several hotels and restaurants that cater to international tourists.
Surloti or Sourloti is a rock in the Meteora rock formation complex of Thessaly, Greece.
Pyxari or Pixari is a rock in the Meteora rock formation complex of Thessaly, Greece. Pyxari is located at the southwestern edge of the Meteora rock complex.
Modi, Modestos or Agiou Modestou is a rock in the Meteora rock formation complex of Thessaly, Greece.
Alysos, also known as Altsos (Άλτσος) or Alsos (Άλσος), is a rock in the Meteora rock formation complex of Thessaly, Greece. The rock overlooks the eastern side of the town of Kalabaka.
Badovas or Bantovas is a rock in the Meteora rock formation complex of Thessaly, Greece.
Gavros is a village in Meteora municipality, Thessaly, Greece. Until 2010, Gavros was part of the former municipality of Chasia.
Athanasius the Meteorite was a 14th-century Christian monk. He is canonized as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church. His feast day is celebrated on April 20. He is best known as the founder of the monastery of the Great Meteoron in Meteora, Greece.
Mount Athos has an extensive network of footpaths, many of which date back to the Byzantine period. These paths are typically trails designed for human foot traffic and mules, and are not wide enough for motor vehicles. They connect the various monasteries, sketes, cells, kathismas, and hermitages on the peninsula to each other.
Agia is a rock in the Meteora rock formation complex of Thessaly, Greece. The rock overlooks the town of Kalabaka.
The Ypapantis Monastery, also known as the Monastery of the Ascension of the Savior, is a former Eastern Orthodox Christian monastery that is part of the Meteora monastery complex in Thessaly, central Greece. The monastery is built into the side of Dimitrios Rock.
The Holy Monastery is a former Eastern Orthodox monastery that is part of the Meteora monastery complex in Thessaly, central Greece.
The Monastery of St. Nicholas of Badova or Bantova is a former Eastern Orthodox monastery that is part of the Meteora monastery complex in Thessaly, central Greece.
Media related to Holy Spirit Rock at Wikimedia Commons
 Monasteries of Meteora | |
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| Active monasteries | |
| Defunct monasteries | |
| Rocks | |