Meteora Travel to a holy place in Christian Orthodoxy, where monks and nuns have lived for centuries in monasteries perched on top of spectacular rock formations. The monasteries, nine total, were built on top of these rocks to defend them against invaders. This strategy worked well, very few invaders attacked the settlement. During the lull between local wars, the rocks were painted with remarkable frescos created by one of the best painters of the time. Among the curiosities inside are the nets that were used to lift the monks from the bottom of the rock formations, a dangerous way to travel, and old barrels still in use by the monks to make wine. From Meteora, cross the Pindus Mountains and enter an archaic zone inhabited by a population of Vlachos. The Vlachos speak a language similar to Romanian, peppered with Greek, Italian and Turkish words. They have guarded the Katara mountain pass since the beginning of history.
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