In the 11th century, the first hermits came on the untrodden peaks of the imposing rocks and build the hermitage of Doupiani. In the 14th century, holy Athanasios Meteoritis formed the first organized monastic community on the rocks of Great Meteoron. Twenty four monasteries, many cells and hermitages flourished, spread on all the rocks for more than 600 years. Nowadays, only the monasteries of Great Meteoron, Varlaam, Holy Trinity, St. Stephen, Rousanou and St. Nicholas Anapafsas still exist and are in use. Everyday, innumerable visitors gather here from all four corners of the world to meditate and pray. They get to know the life of the monks, admire the indescribable nature and the artistic architecture and agiography , and study the invaluable historic remains.