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963Founded 963 · Mount Athos, Chalkidiki

Mount Athos monastic republic

The main church and courtyard of the Great Lavra monastery on Mount Athos
Photo: Dimboukas at en.wikipedia. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Athanasius founded the Great Lavra on the Athos peninsula in 963, and twenty monasteries eventually formed a self-governing Orthodox community that has lasted more than a thousand years. Athos keeps Byzantine liturgy, icons, manuscripts and buildings in daily use. Under a rule centuries old, women may not enter, and male visitors need a permit issued in limited numbers.

Travel advisory. Entry needs a diamonitirion permit, issued to a small daily quota of men only; women can see the monasteries only from boats offshore. We list this event for reference, and don't list guides here until travel is possible again.

Sites

  1. Site 1: OuranoupoliGateway village with a Byzantine tower and boats along the Athos coast.Map ↗
  2. Site 2: Great Lavra MonasteryThe oldest monastery on Athos, open only to permit holders.Map ↗

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Read more: reference. Summary written by History-Tours.com.