Greek temples and monasteries are connected with Greek nature and history. Often located in cliffs, on windy slopes near the sea, green valleys and olive groves, these monasteries were an effort of men to come closer to God.
Often their Location was based on a religious miracle or a remarkable event. Finally, Greek temples and monasteries played a valuable role in the protection of Greek History and preservation of the Greek Language, Culture, Arts and Tradition. (Mainly during the Ottoman rule over Greece). To cut a long story short, these are the top 5 temples and monasteries everyone should visit during their time in Greece:
1. Meteora , a rock formation in central Greece, hosting the most picturesque built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries. It is located near the town of Kalambaka at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly. Meteora is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The name means "lofty", "elevated".
2. Monastery of Panagia Malevi, located in the area of Agios Petros of Kynouria in Peloponnese, Malevi got its name from the mount Malevo. Foundation year is considered in 1116 A.C. One of the most notable miracles in the monastery is the picture of the Mother of God, which cries drops of Olive Oil.
3. Mount Athos, is a mountain at the peninsula of Chalkidiki and a very important centre of the Eastern Christian Orthodox religion. It is an autonomous polity within Greece, which houses 20 different monasteries.
4. Agia Theodora – Vastas, Agia Theodora Vasta is a small Byzantine church and has 17 holly and maple trees growing from its roof. Even more amazing is its interior, where there is no sign of roots anywhere and the river which runs beneath the church and irrigates the trees.