Meteora

In Thessaly, giant pillars of rock rise straight out of the plain. Hermits lived in their caves from the 11th century, and in the 14th century St. Athanasios the Meteorite founded the Great Meteoron on top of one. At their peak there were 24 monasteries. For centuries the only way up was by ladders or in a net pulled by a winch. Six monasteries are still active today.

• Date: 14th century