The unique Flora and Fauna of Meteora

Meteora, apart from a unique geological monument of the nature of global reputation and rare cultural heritage, on its peaks and cliffs maintains a certain biodiversity. Meteora is a complex of huge vertical rocks, rising to the north of Kalambaka.

They are located in the southwest end of the Antichassian Mountains, at the end of the Thessalian plain, and are considered part of these mountains. Hassian Mountains are rising to the north, Koziakas to the south and to the west there is a great view to Pindos (Lakmo and Tzoumerka). The rocks are sandstone and clay-sandy rocks that have been isolated from long-standing erosion.

The Meteora rocks rise vertically, often higher than 250 meters, and are surrounded by slopes with dense vegetation of deciduous broad-leaved trees, such as small oaks, dense hollows, maples and plane trees. The rocks look bare from any vegetation, so a particular endemic flora is getting developed in the area.

The most important species are Allium meteoricum, Centaurea chrysocephala, Bolanthus chelmicus meteoricus, Silene graeca, Alkanna pindicola, Minuartia juniperina, Athamanta macedonica, Anthemis cretica cretica, Clematis viticella, Campanula ramosissima, Paronychia macedonica, Genista carinalis, Thymus teucrioides, Xeranthemum annuum, Silene flavescens thessalonica, Taraxacum molybdocephalum, Scabiosa tenuis, Linaria dalmatica and Ophrys reinhardiorum orchids, O. hansreinhardii, O. speculum, O. mammosa etc. Near Meteora there are two important endemic Centaurea lactiflora and Centaurea kalambakensis.

Meteora is a very important habitat for many rare birds. On the top there is the frequent presence of the Aspropera, the richest vulture in Europe. Other predators of the area are the fiddle, the screamer, the cruciate, the scarlet, the snakarius, the geranium, the sain, the boss, the petritis, the dandelion, the goldfish and the rockerkirch.

In the surrounding area, both the white stork and the blacksmith are found. Other birds of the Meteora are the Copperhorn, the Gossypus, the Middle Woodpecker, the White Woodpecker, the Green Woodpecker, the Tortoise, the Woodpecker, the Ashtray, the Woodpecker, the Nightingale, the Yellow-headed Woodpecker, the yellow-eyed lion, the eagle, the redhead, the water-lure, the fir, the lime-tree, the chrysanthemum.

The herpetopod contains various species, such as the turtle turtle, the Mediterranean turtle, the tsunami, the mistletoe, the mistletoe, the dulcer, the crown and the viper. In Antichasia Mountains, very close to Meteora, are found roe deer, wildcat and wild boar.

The mammals living in Meteora are supplemented with species such as foxes, ferrets, asbestos, hares, squirrels, wood fish and bats, such as Tadarida teniotis.