{"id":121785,"date":"2023-12-03T08:19:20","date_gmt":"2023-12-03T08:19:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leviolonrouge.com\/?p=121785"},"modified":"2023-12-03T08:19:20","modified_gmt":"2023-12-03T08:19:20","slug":"the-beautiful-city-in-the-sky-home-to-one-of-the-oldest-buildings-in-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leviolonrouge.com\/world-news\/the-beautiful-city-in-the-sky-home-to-one-of-the-oldest-buildings-in-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"The beautiful city in the sky home to one of the oldest buildings in the world"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

A stunning rock formation was chosen over the centuries as the perfect home for a cluster of monasteries, many of which are still standing.<\/p>\n

These precipitously built complexes now dominate the Trikala regional unit from atop the stunningly massive natural pillars and rounded boulders creating the Meteora rock formation.<\/p>\n

Located in the homonym municipality of Meteora, the rock formation is just a short drive away from the town of Kalabaka and is part of the Greek region of Thessaly.<\/p>\n

Meteora still counts six functioning monasteries out of the total of 24 that were built there between the 13th and 14th centuries.<\/p>\n

These monasteries, all part of the Eastern Orthodox church, were built to serve monks and nuns retiring on Meteora to follow the teachings of their religion.\u00a0<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong> Greek PM urges return of Elgin Marbles collection<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

But Meteora isn’t extraordinary just because of its monasteries and the unique landscape it creates.<\/p>\n

The rock formation is also very close to one of the world’s oldest man-made structures – the stone wall blocking the entrance to Theopetra Cave, which experts believe may be some 23,000 years old.<\/p>\n

This cave itself is also of massive importance as it shows evidence of human presence dating back at least 50,000 years ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Don’t miss… <\/strong>
Real life Atlantis lost to the sea where 2,400-year-old relics still wash up[INSIGHT] <\/strong>
Fury as beautiful European city is gentrified- ‘stop turning it into Disneyland'[PICTURES] <\/strong>
Alexander the Great mystery finally solved with breathtaking find at temple[REPORT] <\/strong><\/p>\n

Meteora and the monasteries that are still standing on the rock formation can be visited by all those tourists willing to tackle paths and staircases carved in the rock.<\/p>\n

Among those who took to the internet to share memories of their visit is Australian Jason S, who described Meteora as a “real highlight of my trip to Greece”.<\/p>\n

He wrote on Tripadvisor: “Nothing short of amazing the scenery in Meteora, multiple lookouts to see along the road that loops around the valley.<\/p>\n