Kalabaka, the Greek Town That Lives Under a Rock

 

In Kalabaka, all roads lead to Meteora, the towering boulders that dwarf the town and its charming tangerine-roofed houses. The town’s most notable feature, Meteora is a naturally-formed set of rocks that house a cluster of eastern Orthodox monasteries, some of them even perched atop the rocks’ apex like the Saint Nicholas Anapafsas monastery. Kalabaka’s peculiar terrain, along with the town’s quaint landscape and options for entertainment all make it a hidden gem worth discovering. 

Start exploring this town by navigating its old town streets and cobblestoned alleyways. You’ll find a row of pretty stone houses shaded by olive trees, alongside traditional Greek tavernas that serve local cuisine. Here, you can sample Kalabaka’s much-talked-about spanakopita pies, delectable saganaki (fried cheese), and authentic moussaka stuffed with great quality meat. Skaros Tavern, with their alfresco setting under olive trees, and the Meteora Restaurant, a stunning taverna that has operated since 1925 are both great options to try these delicacies. 

Of the six monasteries in Meteora that are accessible to the public, the Monastery of Varlaam is possibly the most interesting, and definitely warrants a visit. Perched atop one of Meteora’s dizzying boulders in a way that almost makes it seem like a part of its natural geography, this monastery sprung into existence in the 14th Century after a monk named Varlaam clambered up its unpredictable walls. After Varlaam's death, the monastery fell into disuse for a time before being resurrected by two monk brothers from Ioannina. 

Today, the enormous monastery provides enthralling tours of its spectacular interiors, which range from stupendous architecture to extraordinary murals that have absorbed an almost divine glow through time. The wall-to-wall frescoes in the All Saints chapel of the monastery rendered by hagiographer Franco Catalano are especially remarkable. 

Visitors can also marvel at Renaissance-era religious iconography, an antique oak barrel used for water storage, and a one-of-a-kind pulley system brilliantly built to transport supplies (and occasionally even people) up to the towering monastery.

Continue exploring Kalabaka's ancient treasures at Theopetra Cave, a prehistoric site just a few kilometers from Meteora. A tour of the cave reveals that humans were thought to have occupied the cave some 130,000 years ago. Discover a child's footprints, dated flora remains, and the presence of manmade structures from the Middle and Upper Paleolithic periods.

Besides hiking, sky-high boulders and ancient monasteries, this picturesque town with its fertile landscape is also home to a smattering of family-run wineries and tsipouro distilleries. A riveting wine tour will take you to the nearby village of Diava where one of the most popular wineries in the region, the Loudas Winehouse, is located. Sample a tableau of exquisite wines here while taking in the surrounding scenery, and follow it up with a visit to the Domaine Liakou winery. This winery also offers wine tasting tours that you can pair up with some local cheese.

Those who love a sense of adventure can also engage in a truffle hunt in the wooded region at Meteora’s foothills. 

Author Name
Advaita Raut