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THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



Photograph by Fred Boissonnas 



THIS MAN MOTOR OF A THFSSALJAN ELEVATOR 



The monks who dwell in the convents of Meteora are raised one at a time to their lofty 

 abodes in nets or rope bags, which are hoisted by means of crude capstans (see also illustration 

 on page 612). The ascent takes about three minutes. 



that commanded the mountain district to 

 the north. Its massive walls of cleverly 

 joined masonry, with one circular and 

 several square towers, which are still in a 

 fair state of preservation, inclose a small 

 oval platform which on three sides ends 

 in precipitous slopes. Near the fort is the 

 spring from which the garrison drew its 

 water. 



A VISIT TO ONF OF THE CAVES OF PAN 



Two hours beyond Phyle is one of the 

 numerous caves dedicated to Pan. The 

 path is over a rocky slope between high 

 cliffs and through a patch of pine forest 

 to a deep gorge. Here begins what was 

 in ancient days the rude pathway leading 

 to the foot of the ravine. At a number 

 of points the ground is giving way and it 

 is a matter of no small difficulty to reach 

 the bottom. 



Once in the rocky bed of the torrent 

 which fills this, the cave is seen a little 

 way up on the further side. A short 

 scramble and one reaches a small plat- 

 form before the mouth of the grotto. 



Apart from its picturesque surround- 

 ings, the cave has but little of interest to 

 offer. There is a spring of limestone 

 water of icy coldness and the soft earth 

 which is banked against the walls some- 

 times offers a treasure in the way of a 

 terra cotta lamp to those who have the 

 patience to dig there. 



The way home is by a solitary, difficult 

 road, which leads to a picturesquely situ- 

 ated Greek monastery, called "Our Lady 

 of the Defile." From the terrace of the 

 monastery is a fine view down the gorge. 

 Towering high above it is a lofty cliff, 

 plainly visible from Athens and which, 

 because of its chariot-like shape, is called 

 "Harma." 



Greek monasteries are true hospices 

 and are required by law to entertain the 

 traveler. However, these legal require- 

 ments would seem to be quite unneces- 

 sary, to judge from the writer's experi- 

 ence. The Greek monk seems a gentle 

 and kindly type. Of the spontaneity of 

 his hospitality and the cordiality of his 

 reception there can be no doubt. 



