Meteora

Meteora lies in the Thessaly region of central Greece. Its striking pillars are made of molassic sedimentary rocks, including sandstone and conglomerate, associated with the Pentalophos Formation. The International Union of Geological Sciences describes the landforms as the result of sedimentary, tectonic and geomorphological processes: tectonic fracturing created discontinuities, while erosion by flowing water and, to a lesser extent, wind helped shape the formations.

According to UNESCO, hermits and monks began settling on the area's sandstone peaks from the 11th century. During the revival of the eremitic ideal in the 15th century, 24 monasteries were built despite the difficult terrain. Many were built or renovated in the 16th century, and their frescoes are recognized as an important stage in post-Byzantine painting.

Meteora was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988 as a mixed cultural and natural property. UNESCO describes it as an example of monastic architecture set within a distinctive natural landscape, while geological sources emphasize the importance of its rock formations for understanding the Hellenic orogen.