Meteora cliffs
“Look up and see the handkerchiefs hanging from the Cliff of Meteora Monastery,” said our guide Kostoula on out last Kapogiannis Greece tour. “These are the handkerchiefs of Agios Georgios Mandilas (St. George of the Handkerchiefs). Every year climbers with robes climb the cliff on St. George’s Day.” They reach the cave of St. George Mandilas, lighting a candle and leaving behind a handkerchief. Dozens of handkerchiefs hang that can be seen from the tour bus. The spot is known as “Agios Georgios o Mandilas.”
There are legends over the origin of the Handkerchiefs of Meteora. It involves the forgiveness of a Turk who cut down a tree on St. George’s Day. He lost his hand, gave his wife’s veil on cliff as an offering and received his hand back. There are other versions that can be researched. This custom continues today. The Meteora monasteries in Central Greece are the second largest in Greece after Mount Athos.
References:https://www.thegreekvibe.com/visit-meteora-and-reach-out-to-the-universe/
Greek American Experience 