Meteora, the most important monument of the Prefecture of Trikala, is protected by UNESCO and is the second most valuable monastic center (after Mount Athos) in Greece. These weird and bulky geological formations were first inhabited in the 11th century by hermit monks, who later formed the hermitage of Doupiani. In the 14th century Saint Athanasios Meteorites organized the first monastic community on the Great Meteoro. In the next six centuries 24 monasteries were founded on the steep Meteora rocks. Six of them are fully functional till nowadays: