Crete Pilgrimage 2016 - Day 24
Greece - Platamon and the Hilltop Monasteries at Meteora
Introduction
The mountains of Olympus stretch east almost to the coast, blocking travel north and south. There is a very narrow coastal strip that has long been recognised as a natural
defensive line, with Platamon Castle looking over the land to the north and south. Here the New Zealand Division was able to mount a rear-guard action in 1941, but the German forces were able
to get some of their tanks over the rough hills, forcing the New Zealanders out.
From Platamon we travelled south and then west into the heart of Greece to visit the isolated hilltop monasteries at Meteora. We stayed the niught at a nearby hotel before travelling on to Athens.
|
Leaving the Dion Palace in the early morning
|
Travelling south with Mt Olympus close to the west
|
|
|
|
Platamon Castle from the road
|
|
|
Turtles in the grass
|
|
The entrance gate
|
|
The octagonal tower
|
The castle from the air with the tower bottom left
|
|
|
The wall of the castle
|
Looking south along the coast
|
|
|
A snake??
|
No, a legless lizard...!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steps up to the castle rampart
|
|
Roof tiles stacked in geometric patterns
|
Looking north - the view the New Zealand tropps had in 1941 as the German armour approached them
|
A more pleasant scene today
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The hilltop monasteries at Meteora
From Platamon we travelled
|
The turnoff to Neraida and lunch.
|
The local church
|
View of the lake looking towards the dam and power station
|
|
|
The Balconi Cafe, one of many looking out over the lake
|
|
|
|
Lunch with a view
|
Where we dined
|
|
|
|
Or just a flop!
|
|
|
Back on the coach and across the bridge!
|
|
|
|
Heading towards Mt Olympus
|
|
|
|
The road climbs up through the saddle
|
|
|
|
/td>
|
|
|
Ktima Bellou Farm Hotel
|
The village of Agios Dimitrios
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Entering the village of Foteina on the northern flank of Mt Olympus
|
|
|
|
We stopped in the middle of Foteina to discuss events
|
where we were joined by a local man who remembered the New Zealand soldiers from 1941
|
|
|
Then it was on to our hotel, the Dion Palace.
|
|
|
|
Then it was on to our hotel, the Dion Palace.
|
|
|
|
Then it was on to our hotel, the Dion Palace.
|
|
|
 Back to previous day-------------
 Forward to next day
Return to Trip Index
Last updated: 31/05/2017
|
