MOUNT ATHOS THE HOLY MOUNTAIN

Mount Athos is a self-governing part of the Greek State, located on the Athos peninsula of Halkidiki in Macedonia. Since 1988 it has been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Mount Athos is governed by the “Holy Community”, a council of representatives from the 20 monasteries with the participation of the Greek State through its representative in the city of Karia, the capital.
Today there are 20 monasteries on Mount Athos.
Below the monastery of Stavronikitas in Mount Athos in Northern Greece, from the 10th century AD.

What follows is the monastery of Simonos Petras in Mount Athos, Greece, 14th century AD. In the first picture the southwestern part and in the second one the northern part of the complex.

17 monasteries are Greek: Megistis Lavra, Vatopedi, Iberon, Koutloumousiou, Agios Pavlos, Dionysiou, Xenophontos, Stavronikita, Grigoriou, Konstamonitou, Esfimenou, Dochiariou, Karakalos, Xiropotamou, Pantokrator, Simonos Petras, Philotheou. 1 monastery is Russian: Agios Panteleimonos,
1 is Serbian: Chilandariou and
1 is Bulgarian: Zografou.
There are also 14 hermitages and many cells, stones and a seats

Below the 10th century AD monastery of Iviron in Mount Athos.

Below the monastery of Hiliandariou in Mount Athos, 11th century AD.

In the photograph that follows, from the 10th century AD the monastery of Vatopediou

The interior inside the walls of the above monastery:
According to tradition, the Virgin Mary sailed with Saint John the Evangelist from Jaffa (Joppa) to Cyprus to visit Lazarus. When the ship began to take on water in the Athos peninsula, it was forced to anchor near the present-day monastery of Iberon. The Virgin walked on land and was overwhelmed by the wonderful and wild natural beauty of the mountain, blessed her and asked her Son to be her garden.
Below the monastery of Xenophontos in Mount Athos, from the 10th century AD.
A voice was heard saying: “Let this place be your inheritance and your garden, a paradise and refuge of salvation for those who want to be saved.” From that moment the mountain was dedicated to Panagia or the Mother of God (Garden of Panagia) and entry was forbidden for all other women.
Next, Docheiariou monastery in Mount Athos, 11th century AD
As the road network in Athonia State could be described as inadequate to non-existent, it is preferable to leave your car at the port of Ouranoupoli where there is also the corresponding parking lot with specially configured prices and charges.
and the 14th century founded, monastery of Gregoriou in Mount Athos.

Before you start your journey to the Athonian State, you should definitely get in touch with the Mount Athos pilgrims’ office in Thessaloniki in order to determine any details of your stay. Unfortunately there is still a kind of bureaucracy in the whole organization which can delay your trip, sometimes significantly, something you should be prepared for.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PILGRIM
HOLY ESTASIA OF AGIOS OROS – ATHOS
PILGRIM OFFICE
EGNATIA 109
54635 THESSALONIKI
National telephone number 2310 252575
Foreigners’ telephone number +30 2310 252578
sources   mountathos.org
thessalonikitourism.gr
inthessaloniki.com
agioritikiestia.gr