How hermits clamped their dwellings on to Meteora boulders

Archeologists argue that Meteora has been considered a holy place by hermits since the Paleolithic, or several millennia before Christians were attracted by the area's majestic boulders, which seem to belong to the long paths of geological time.
Later, in the holy place of Meteora and over the awe-inspiring rocks, monasticism flourished since Byzantine times, during which at least 24 monasteries were founded and maintained. Today, only six of them are inhabited: Great Meteoron, Varlaam, Roussano, St. Nikolas Anapausas, Holy Trinity, and St. Stephan's.
Meteora's archaeological site has been inscribed upon the UNESCO's World Heritage sites for protection given its universal value as a cultural landmark that benefits all humanity.
In the Orthodox Church and Eastern Rite Catholic Churches, hermits live a life of prayer and service to their community in the traditional Eastern Christian manner of the poustinik. The poustinik is a hermit available to all in need and at all times.
The term "anchorite" (from the Greek ἀναχωρέω anachōreō, signifying "to withdraw," "to depart into the country outside the circumvallate city") is often used as a synonym for hermit. Still, anchorites lived in the solitude of an "anchorhold" (or "anchorage"), usually a small hut or "cell."
*All footage (except historical) filmed by Kirsten and Nicolás.
On *faircompanies: faircompanies....

[@erinnicole5348]

I love how little speaking there was in this video.. it allowed me to just appreciate the beauty of such a place. To live on ancient rock like that... Love it

[@Psychedelic_Cowboy]

And then transitioned to a noisy modern family coming to do the exact thing the monks were trying to prevent with extreme measures....

[@odeeo3378]

@@Psychedelic_Cowboy lol I caught that exact moment as I read this comment

[@standunitedorfall1863]

@@Psychedelic_Cowboy This family has been the world over, and seen more exceptional housing than you could ever dream of.

[@johnathantidwell7299]

@@Psychedelic_Cowboy if it wasn't for that family you wouldn't have this video to watch.

[@cherylanderson3340]

Yes. Ditto.

[@jeremybarnes7873]

Incredible to think of someone laying roofing tiles next to *that* precipice.

[@ronsmith1364]

Safety harness at all times.

[@amandawilcox9638]

Ron Smith-Ropes! Unless the Lord decided otherwise.

[@tr1cksh00ter]

@@amandawilcox9638 LMAO

[@nofurtherwest3474]

@@ronsmith1364 Did they use harnesses back then when it was being built? And to do the exterior of the buildings? Where did they get the water for the mortar mix? I wish I could see how they built it. Amazing.

[@luiscuixara4622]

That's it. I'm moving to Greece and becoming a monk. I'm already a hermit, so it should work out. Astoundingly beautiful place. Thanks, you luckiest family on Earth.

[@utuberme1]

Don't you have a family?

[@HeatAxe]

Ill move near you and we can trade crops/food to help survival

[@timlundahl4571]

I remember visiting here as a 12 year old American kid with my family in 1973 and looking up at these monasteries with a sense of awe. It made quite an impression on me thinking 'how did they build these'? Meteora is far better known today, much more visited and accessible as well, but still my sense of awe remains. Another wonderful video Kirsten!

[@bibliomama8310]

Kirstin, your children are being literally "home schooled" about all the incredible places people call home! How fortunate for them and for us that you share your discoveries. Thank you.

[@rinistephenson5550]

Field trip!

[@antap]

Plus, they know two languages! (Dad's and Mum's)

[@39Thorns]

Important detail...the monasteries established there in the 14th and 15th centuries were in response to the invasions of the Ottoman Turks. They were for safety, not necessarily to discourage visitors.

[@grinninggoat5369]

Well yes, but it sounds so much more noble to say they were going up there to live a life of austerity and get in touch with God away from distractions of everyday life (especially when that distraction was a major trial of faith i.e.- risk of death or subjugation and taxation) than to say to people afterwards that they had the church's means and authority to shelter the Monks and build monastic churches away from struggle & strife while leaving the rest of the people down below in the general areas to be plundered, converted, enslaved or murdered! Lol The official story of how the pious and noble monks of the past decided to go up there in the first place is handed down by the same noble and pious monks that were the ones left to tell and pass down the "legitimate" story of how they came to be up there for only want of fostering their faith in solitude, right? ;)

[@39Thorns]

@@grinninggoat5369 I'm sure there were a confluence of reasons for their deciding to follow their course of action, as it is for all people in all times.

[@Soundslikeaplan]

Thank you for bringing all these wonderful places to our homes. It’s so reassuring to see all the calm and eco friendly spaces around the world . Whenever I start to despair of mankind then I remember that there are people out there who are living mindful lives.

[@zhenyalandyak8258]

only the cities trash the world and think they need to save it

[@warpspeed9877]

One of "must see" places in Greece. A location of unbelievable beauty that is really humbling. The geological formations and surrounding nature are breathtaking.

[@lydiarowe491]

The monasteries are as intriguing and the boulders. Both ancient one younger than the other.. Thankyou foe this one.

[@ChrisPage68]

Kristen - thank you for taking me to a place I couldn't physically visit (even in what we used to call "Normal" circumstances) in my wheelchair.

[@tassostsoutis601]

There are wheelchair friendly hotels in the area and you can get pretty close to some of the monasteries by car, although I am not sure if any of them are wheelchair accessible. The area is spectacular, with lots of nice places around. Definitely worth a visit.

[@carbide1968]

I couldn't go there for reasons also and I appreciate you taking me there.

[@stevenmathieson7349]

@@tassostsoutis601 yiasas apo thn Kypro

[@tassostsoutis601]

@@stevenmathieson7349 Yiasou kai sena :)

[@9amStudio]

I have been a subscriber for many years. I remembered when I first subscribed that I couldn’t believed that she didn’t have a million subscribers. But now she has almost 1.5 millions. I am so happy for you Kirsten. You make KZbin awesome!

[@arghjayem]

The monastery also featured in the James Bond film “For Your Eyes Only” and an episode of the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.

[@reader649]

For some of us older viewers (and TCM fans) the area was also shown in Sky Riders (1976)with James Coburn and others doing breathtaking hang gliding from the peaks and Sophia Lorens; Boy On A Dolphin (1957) with Clifton Webb doing research in a library within

[@jennymauger]

@kirsten @Argh JayEm@@reader649 wow thank you all!!!

[@HeatherSpoonheim]

I was going to say, "Great for Bond villains as well." I forgot the name of the film.

[@satansjockstrap550]

I read about this in a Chris kuzneski novel called the lost throne! This was very interesting, thank you! Try the book it's a superb read!

[@badcampa2641]

@@reader649 it looked familiar thanks

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

Taking us to new heights once again! Thank you Kirsten (and family) for all you do.

[@verth1390]

Oooo this is where they filmed James Bond For Your Eyes Only (1981)...always a captivating architectural pleasure with or without Bond

[@kirstendirksen]

Good memory. I read they used the Holy Trinity Monastery for filming. Such a natural location for a Bond film.

[@amandawilcox9638]

Almost unbelievable. So much continous humanity-and so few! Stunning. Thanks once more, Kirsten & family!

[@theadventuresofbrockinthai4325]

What a great way to educate your children. I can just imagine in their future when they think back on their childhood and the fond memories of actually seeing the road that the Roman soldiers walked down and other great things. You have chosen well.

[@debbralehrman5957]

It is truly amazing what human kind will do to spend time alone with the Lord. The problem is not that He can hear us but we can hear Him. Lovely video thanks.

[@AriadneSkyrianidou]

How great to see you have been to Greece! I love Meteora. I live in Thessaloniki on the North.

[@henrikmanitski1061]

Visited Meteora in 2012. Breathtaking views.

[@lidijabirsa7768]

Me too,a few years later than you and never forget it! Magical!

[@indiracamotim2858]

This video just blew me away with the beauty of these monasteries that I had never heard about. Thank you, Kirsten 🙏🏻🌺💕❤️♥️

[@malimish]

Meteora is a pretty magical place. Although it was strange for us to see a Shell station right in the middle of town. Felt like we were in Sedona for a second.

[@pelawren]

SPECTACULAR! Your kids are so fortunate.

[@VKSgtSLaughter]

KIDS... are a great addition to your videos. Their excitement and wonder reflects what we feel when watching your amazing videos. Thank you for sharing and keep up the great work! 👍

[@lindahouston4549]

I absolutely love that you take your children with you to these unique and beautiful places! You are making memories they will cherish forever.

[@kathyashby6019]

Knowing what I have found out the past three years, these 'rock mountains' (worldwide) may be the formations resulting from cataclysms (natural and intentional), where they were once beautiful structures/buildings with advanced technology.... Several resets may have occurred. Regardless, these places are spectacular.

[@nateisright]

Imagine the faith it would take to ride in THAT elevator!

[@itchyvet]

What POWERS the elevator. Electricity was not available in the centuries when these places were built.

[@aokiaoki4238]

@@itchyvet 2:35

[@scottbecker3485]

I suppose one could call this the quintessential „Stairway to Heaven“. If you made it up without the ropes breaking, you were literally on top of the world, in heaven. And if the ropes broke…well, that‘s probably the fastest way up (er….down?) to heaven. ;-)

[@triumphmanful]

oOPS ANOTHER BROKEN ROPE. ! Sorry brother Joseph, RIP !

[@judylloyd7901]

@@itchyvet Watch more carefully, at 2:45 you'll see a couple of monks using a manual windlass 😊👍

[@lordplanet8413]

Gives a new meaning to living on the edge.

[@MentalNpc]

So awesome thanks Kirsten.

[@a.d.7042]

I have been there several times, my fascination stayed always the same!!! In the monastery of Varlaam is a 12000 liter wooden barrel. It has been used for water and not for Wine as many would think!

[@Kathiewinkle]

Thank you for filming and your kids are lovely

[@hoperules8874]

🤣👍🏽🤗Seriously--best video you ever made (many thanks to the English/French/Animaeux translation by your son of how the animals felt dragging building supplies up the mountain!)

[@tinekejoldersma]

Breathtaking is it? Love the wildlife in Meteora too.

[@FILIPPI107]

Been watching your videos for so long, i think the boy was not born at a time . You made me see the world when i couldn't afford to physically (I am living my traveling dreams every time you upload). Thank you Kirsten!

[@brizbizel]

they went up there to live in space but eventually time found a way to contaminate things...tourism are people living in time. Once Time entered, they left.... the end of the clip speaks clearly about how you guys got a glimpse of what it means to inhabit a space as opposed to "mundane life" that is mostly dedicated to Time. Lovely place, lovely experience.

[@paulus.tarsensus]

Once again, Kirsten, ¡ What wonderful opportunities you have made for your children ! Every child should be afforded such an education and get to experience the world first hand and meet incredible people who have invented wonderful and unique solutions to the problems of life.

[@sharonadlam3195]

Another ethereal landscape, thank you. The birdsong that can be heard throughout was quite wonderful too :)

[@JoshAronoff]

Incredible. I've never seen rocks that big.

[@ndafarachaitezvi1139]

One can't imagine how difficult it was to build these structures in those locations.

[@1953beetle]

Especially getting the materials needed up the cliffs.Back breaking stuff.

[@johnathantidwell7299]

@@1953beetle no equipment either

[@1953beetle]

@@johnathantidwell7299 😩

[@johnnieantler58]

Thank you for taking me to places I’ll never get to see in person. Well done, Bravo....

[@MichaelMartinussen]

Good compassionate boy thinking about the animals well-being !!! Actually the caves were inhabited long before the Christians came. In Sardinia they call them Domus de Janas. (house of fairies)

[@dtellez2415]

Really enjoyed the addition of the historical footage, more of that please.

[@lisavandenelst814]

So nice you go all over the earth such a nice life.

[@DerrynEHahn-ir2jv]

Thanks for showing me a place that I would never be able to visit❤️✨

[@licorice71]

This is testament to mans ingenuity. To build those beautiful buildings under those circumstances. Where there’s a will there’s a way . Beautiful

[@VarongTangkitphithakphon]

Meteora is magnificent, I wonder why there's not many youtube video on this but †hank you for this short but valuable video

[@bosse641]

What an amazing place.

[@ryanstanley9097]

I've followed you for years and I believe your family is the modern day Wild Thornberry's from Nickelodeon. What a beautiful and unique life you all have and provide for your children. Thanks for the many adventures you take us all on!

[@harpguy1]

Thanks for filming & uploading an incredibly beautiful geological & historical piece of Europe.

[@bgdyz4242]

I just adore your channel! You film so well and really respect the matter at hand and teach your children that along the way too “stay on the path” my heart melted lol I have a son the same age and love seeing him see new things too and teaching him. You have a lovely family and I liked that you didn’t have a lot of talk over on this one it was well done and so relaxing 😌 it’s like I’m literally there and thank you for allowing us all to armchair travel with you. Again very well done! I found your channel a few months back and finally subbed! Been lurking for a bit lol

[@digiryde]

One of the interesting things about your videos is hearing the comments from your children. I used to work from home, so my children (now grown and moved on) would be in my work environment, asking questions, making suggestions, and learning. It is very nice to see that you involve your family in this. It is an invaluable lesson for them. Maybe they will catch part of your passions as well. These monasteries you covered this time have always had a draw for me. Something about them has always captured my imagination. Thank you for doing this video.

[@VintageTexas59]

Very peaceful living, high up and away from the stressed world we are living in now. Thanks for sharing.

[@vinceveltri7732]

Breathtaking!

[@andronicemarinis1072]

Best way to educate. What a marvelous endroit !!

[@sandraslate7043]

It’s truly a gift to see this in person!

[@oliverburke]

one of the most interesting endeavors...to chronicle all these interesting homes for us. i so appreciate it. fascinating.

[@larsstougaard7097]

Great video, though I would love to see it from the inside also and get info on how they managed with food, water and preservation of their resources.

[@johnmcgrew7128]

That is flippin' amazing.

[@hoppas77]

thank you for taking us along .. so peaceful

[@mikesetbacken7891]

Would like to stay there for a few week's. Thank you.

[@WeMakeLaw]

...or... this could have been an enormous building from a super advanced ancient civilisation, molten by technology and/or divine intervention.

[@Ab_someone]

I wished the video was longer in duration. Breathtakingly beautiful & so majestic. 🙏 Another very beautiful video.

[@susan6064]

AWESOME & Thank You for sharing your experience with us ....I could never myself have walked it for one

[@dodecaheathenblue8132]

Wow...wow, wow!!! We sat here with our mouths open... in unexpected splendor and awe...spectacular! thank you for taking us along..without it ~we`d never know that a place as this ever existed..thank you.

[@ruthiezophia2946]

What a wonderful gift to give your children.

[@Sciayam]

Thank you for showing these wonders :)

[@mummywelldaddywell6976]

...to the victor belong the spoils

[@astromikael]

Thanks for taking me away from home for a while. What happened to the other 18 monasteries?

[@georgiapeach2339]

Breath taking. Thanks for sharing.

[@chelz1972]

Looks like melted massive structures and buildings of the old world

[@albongo3949]

Thank you for these videos and this channel

[@Interglacial_optimist]

For the last year I feel like I've been living like a monk. But I do get out with Kristen on the KZbin to go visit all those incredible off-grid farms.

[@triumphmanful]

Like a Monk ? I doubt it !

[@roadatlas3088]

1:03 looks like melted charred building over an existing structure...just sayin.... What do you think?

[@choosejoy1464]

So very interesting thank you!

[@vsavoldi]

You two have the Luckiest Kids on the planet, and they really do not know that yet. What a wonderful life, travelling the world meeting new people , places and things constantly. Love your Vids!

[@johnhall9609]

Thank you for that👍definitely a mesmerizing atmosphere just being there!!

[@lkeirnan]

I applaud you for home schooling your children. What a different world it would be if more did what you are doing. Thank you for posting this.

[@donnashory4086]

Beautiful day and beautiful video. I was there for one day and you couldn’t see anything for the rain and clouds. You were very lucky to see it on that beautiful day!

[@Jayapullani]

At one times these places were inaccessible to women, and now its possible the monasteries require repairs and maintenance so the tourism really helps in this way. No one should be denied the experience of seeing the icons and interiors of these churches.

[@tongresa77]

Towards the very end, the daughter was totally feeling the place. Which could've made for a few good contemplative pics.😉

[@grittykitty8005]

Beautiful scenery , and some amazing rocks !

[@alvenatgolden1781]

Thank You For sharing! Beautiful A very Good experience.

[@alid4789]

What an amazing experience for those kiddos!

[@greatboniwanker]

I was really struck by the prehistoric caves next to the medieval monasteries surrounded by a modern-day town; living history!

[@TheSilmarillian]

I cannot conceive even in my wildest imagination the effort ,dedication and the man hours it took to even get the raw materials to that height to build these. I don't often comment on uploads,thank you for uploading this I can only image what they look like being on site as you and your children where ....Yep in the mountains the shortest way is from peak to peak he ....hello from Lightning Ridge NSW Australia....off grid and away from the inherent chaos that is becoming the major cities :)

[@hirundine44]

Was there as a tourist in 1990's... 1993. Little changed but had some cold weather i'm sure..

[@sidilicious11]

The rock formations are beautiful weathered sculptures.

[@Moe_Lester_fromUptwn]

That's so Metal! - Nathan Explosion.

[@thinkplanetearth2946]

What a stunning place Kirsten. And the drone shots were just gorgeous. The history of it is fascinating. I'm with your daughter, it's a shame that now there are roads bringing with it traffic noise taking away from the peacefulness of the place. In my next life I want to come back as one of your kids. What an amazing life that you and your husband are providing for them. I look forward to your next video. Always so interesting.

[@briananderson1246]

0:16 that cut down and petrified tree on the right would have been such a sight to behold!

[@colmwatulikededazio973]

Kirsten , you may not know why I'm excited , so very excited about what you have uncovered here on this excellent vid..congratulations first and foremost for producing such an attractive family and clearly providing a wonderfully broad and invaluable experience of travel and seeing the unusual and interesting places in our much misunderstood world .. But secondly I want to be the first (hopefully) to welcome you on board a very (relatively) small and growing community from all around the world right now sharing info pics from existing places such as you have done here , and old photo - pictorial , (engraved) evidence of this great event or events which will become evident to you as I explain to you what you actually presented here ...Prepare yourself for a shock .. What you filmed here was clear evidence of a great 'thermal' event which was cataclysmic in scale and widespread across a large portion of our earth ..these huge eddefices of 'rock' were once huge tower block structures and apartment buildings much like what surrounds Central Park ,New York today...from the Morrocan mountains right across North Africa , Jordan, Arabia , Uzbekistan and further east ward is much such evidence as you have also brought more of to light ...this might sound 'way out there' but I can assure you that it's very real and clear..look at your vid again 1.00 mark and 4.22 secs in and your brief closing shot..some places the pyroplastic flow of melting buildings did not fully cover the underlying structures which are very evident when you look back at more of your footage ...let me know what you think now that you take away the old millions and millions and millions of years of water ,wind and rain BS..There was a huge event in our human history which is being ignored by academia at some high level as the evidence is unmistakable once you know what you are looking at...so take your time but do please tell me your thought before I bring you any further ..Colm in Èire with warm regards and good will. Slàn agus beannacht Linh .!

[@artint.1519]

Thank you

[@cachecow]

I'm gonna go and visit just to break the solitude

[@suzyq6767]

fascinating...thank you

[@mchoffner8497]

Really nice little virtual excursion. Thanks

[@comedianmattrossey]

Hi Kirsten and Family, WOW Kirsten, I just noticed how much your kids have grown. When I started watching your channel the tallest was just a bit past your waist, she's got to be as tall as you now? They have all grown and matured so much in the last 3, maybe 4 years. I found your channel after getting married and coming back to Canada from the Philippines. There are some homes in the Philippines you should show on the channel. There's also some incredible structures there. Most homes not in the cities are quite small, and in the cities, it's mind blowing how so many people can live in such small one room homes. Literally a room that's 8'x10' can have everything they own, a kitchen, a small washroom area, and the sleeping and living room are all the same place. And even though most people want better, they are happy with what they have and that they have a shelter from the weather and heat. I'm amazed of the diversity in land in Greece. I always had the idea that Greece was mainly a tropical country. That impression was totally wrong. There is a very wide variety of climate in Greece. Recently I've been watching a couple channels here on YouTub of bushcrafting. 2 of the channels are in Greece and the forsts are very similar to the West Coast of Canada in some areas and in other areas are like going into Algonquin National Park, here in Ontario, in the middle of winter. It's amazing how many different climates Greece has. I've never been to Greece. But seeing this video as well as a number of other videos of Greece recently, Greece is now on the definite list to travel to. Thanks Kirsten and Nicolas for another great video. Keep Safe Always, Peace, Happiness, Love and Laughter All, Matt - Toronto, Canada

[@comedianmattrossey]

Thanks Kirsten, Keep Safe.

[@andylostracy]

Thank you!

[@vicaroo001]

Oh the wonderful places you take us!

[@jenarmstrong6990]

Wow I had a QHHT session I was living in a cave high above a creek, men in dark blue uniforms on horses hunted n shot me down. I was one of the last Neanderthal. This really touched me thank you.

[@TheLarainsd]

@ Jennifer Armstrong ... Whoa!! 😲. How Frightening ...and... Unexpected, I'm Sure 😢 Hearing -or- Remembering that !! Did You have any OTHER memories which sprung from that Original Memory of being SHOT ?? Any that would have given You a CLUE as to WHERE it was that You'd been living ?? Perhaps the Blue Uniforms ??

[@jenarmstrong6990]

@@TheLarainsd I don't recall feeling fear. I was not aware of others like me, no belongings nor bedding I existed simply, and used the cave for shelter and rest. When they showed up I started to move quickly and felt the bullet through my shoulder blade it stunned me. I see how it fits in my longing for living simply in nature and my affinity with caves and comfortable in my own company. Hoping the land I find has a cave. And this is the second past life I am aware of where my wings have been injured and explains the pain in this life time in my shoulder blade. I fly in my dreams. All interesting stuff.

[@TheLarainsd]

@@jenarmstrong6990 ... Wow, that's Crazy Interesting ‼️👍I can BARELY REMEMBER MY OWN LIFE .. my CURRENT one ...big chunks of it I cannot recall ... Probably due to the ABUSE I suffered as a Child from age 8 on ... After 3rd grade, life at home was 👎👎 💔 😞

[@southerngrits]

Thank you for this share .I could never visit a place like this and now I can said I've seen it .

[@ChillinWithBrody]

Hello from Orlando FL. Thanks for sharing, that was amazing. Now I wanna go see them too.

[@TUNImicrostudio]

amazing.. Thanks for the video