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Meteora, an Ancient Structure Whose Name Means "Suspended in the Air"

This monastery complex is called Meteora, which in English roughly translates to "suspended in the air." Considering these monasteries sit on steep sandstone pillars, as seen in the photo below, that name certainly seems appropriate! This secluded cluster of religious houses is located in Thessaly, Greece, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just look at its gorgeous surroundings: the greenery is so lush, and the mountainous backdrop is nothing short of breathtaking!

Dmitry Rukhlenko/Shutterstock

The roots of the monasteries go back to the 9th century AD. During this time, a few monks looking for complete seclusion decided to reside in caves on top of the rock pillars.