Roussanou and other monasteries in Metéora, Greece

© Stian Rekdal/Nimia

Roussanou and other monasteries in Metéora, Greece

Roussanou is one of six Greek Orthodox monasteries perched atop the sandstone pillars in Metéora, Greece. The name ‘Metéora’ translates loosely to English as ‘middle of the sky’ or ‘in the heavens.’ The hermitages are now accessible by stairs cut into, or added, to the steep stone walls. But prior to the addition of the stairs in the 20th century, the only way up or down was to climb a series of ladders, or to be hauled up and lowered down by nets and ropes, the same way food and other necessities were delivered to the monasteries.