Athos is the easternmost of the three promontories of the Chalkidiki peninsula, on which the autonomous monastic state of Athos, also called Agion Oros - the Holy Mountain, is located.

This mysterious and inaccessible place is considered the most important centre of the Orthodox Church in the world. Over 2,000 monks live here permanently in twenty monasteries, making Athos the place with the second highest concentration of monks in the world after Tibet.

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The first monastery, Megisti Lavra, was built on the mountainous peninsula in 963 and is now the largest and main monastery on the Holy Mountain. The site was considered sacred thanks to the legend of the Virgin Mary's descent on this peninsula.

The monastic republic of Athos still observes strict rules today. Women are strictly forbidden to enter the entire 50 km long peninsula on pain of 2 years in prison.

The rules are even so absurd that they forbid the importation of female animals, except for chickens and cats. However, even men do not have completely free access to Athos. More precisely, the rules are so strict that few tourists are allowed on the peninsula. But more on that below.

Life in the monastic republic

The monastic state of Athos doesn't quite fill the entire peninsula of the same name, starting just outside the port of Ouranopoli in the most mountainous part. Throughout Athos you will find exactly 20 Orthodox monasteries. Sixteen of them belong to the Greek Orthodox Church and one each to the Russian, Serbian, Bulgarian and Romanian Orthodox Churches.

The largest Great Lavra (Megisti Lavra) is located in the very south of the peninsula.

There are also countless skits (small monasteries), kalivas (dwellings for one monk) and hermitages. The monks here live an ascetic lifestyle and practice the deepest mystical spiritual prayer.

Some of the monks live in the community of monasteries, and some live completely outside civilization in isolated hermitages high in the mountains.

The monks themselves and any visitors move around Athos almost exclusively on foot or on donkeys.

The peninsula is criss-crossed with a network of paths winding up and down the steep mountainsides. The monks do not live a modern lifestyle, but electricity is brought into the monasteries and they do maintain regular contact with the outside world.

A cultural treasure of incalculable value

The entire monastic republic of Athos is listed by UNESCO for its extraordinary spiritual and cultural value. For more than a thousand years, the most traditional spiritual practices of the Orthodox Church have been preserved here.

Thanks to its seclusion from the outside world, you will also find here material monuments of incalculable value, be it the monastery buildings themselves in typical Byzantine architecture, archaeological remains, monuments in the field of fine arts (icons, chalices) and writing (especially rare manuscripts).

How to get to Athos: permits and price

Athos is accessible only by sea. Although it is a peninsula connected to the mainland, there are no roads or paths leading to it.

The main port in the monastic state is in the locality of Dafni, from where even several asphalt roads lead to the most important monasteries. However, it serves exclusively local workers for the import of materials and goods.

The monastic state has very strict entry rules. As described above, women are not allowed to enter the territory under any circumstances. Men are only allowed to visit Athos from the age of 18 and above.

Entry is limited to 100 Orthodox believers/persons of Greek nationality per day and only 10 foreign visitors of non-Orthodox faith per day.

You need a permit to enter the area (diamonitrion) issued by the "Holy Office of Mount Athos - Office for Pilgrims", which you must apply for at least 6 months before your planned visit.

The processing of the diamonitrion is free of charge.

The permit can only be applied for by phone or email:

• Phone: +30 2310 252578
• E-mail: athosreservation@gmail.com

The permit must be picked up in physical paper form at the pilgrimage office in Ouranopolis on the day of departure to Athos.

Ferries to Athos

It is from Ouranopolis that regular ferries depart for Athos every day, carrying the faithful, monks and workers who take care of the basic running of the monastic state.

The ferry is free, and Ouranopolis can be reached by car from Thessaloniki in less than 2 hours (118 km), and there are also direct buses from KTEL-Chalkidikis, 5 times a day with a journey time of 130 minutes (look for the town as "Oyranoypolis" in the timetable).

You can stayfor free in any of the 20 monasteries, where you will also get a small treat. You can stay a maximum of 4 nights on Athos and you are free to move around the area, but almost exclusively on foot or by donkey.

Detailed information is available on the Mount Athos Center website agioritikiestia.gr/visit-mount-athos established jointly by the City of Thessaloniki and the Mount Athos Administration.

Sightseeing cruises around Mount Athos

If arranging your permit six months in advance isn't the way to go, you can at least enjoy the view of the many monasteries literally clinging to the mountainside from the deck of a cruise ship. Cruises along the coast (without stopping at Athens ports) are possible without restrictions and no permits are required.

All cruise ships depart from the port of Ouranopolis, cruises usually last around 3-4 hours and cost between 22 eur and 30 eur.

For example, you can use Calypso Cruises.

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