Holy Mount Athos is considered the earthly abode of the Mother of God, and this place on Earth is especially revered by all Orthodox Christians. According to legend, the ship on which the Mother of God sailed was carried by a storm to these shores. Many believers from all over the world are eager to visit here. Excursions to Athos from Greece are held regularly and start from the city of Thessaloniki, from where the path lies on the Chalkidiki peninsula, which is shaped like a trident, each of the teeth of which is also a peninsula protruding into the Aegean Sea for several tens of kilometers. On the eastern peninsula called Agion-Oros or Athos is the Holy Mount Athos. A part of the peninsula up to the city of Ouranoupoli is open for free visits, but further lies the border separating the Holy Land from the rest of the world. This is the territory of an autonomous monastic republic within Greece, and the laws in it are somewhat different than in the whole country.
Guided tour for men
Not everyone can get to Athos. Here are the rules that all guests must obey. Women are not allowed here, and violators of the ban face imprisonment for up to 1 year. All men are allowed in, but everyone must receive a special pass - diamonithirion, which is issued for 4 days and must be ordered in advance. Each monastery can issue a permit for a longer period at its discretion. Video filming is prohibited on the territory of the monasteries, and photographing is allowed only with the permission of the abbot. On Athos, they do not eat meat, smoke, wear open clothes and do not even swim in the sea. Bread is the main food of the local monks.
For guests who have received a pass to Athos, a ferry departs from Ouranoupoli with stops at the marinas of the monasteries:
- Khilandar,
- Zograf,
- Constamonite,
- Dochiar,
- Xenophon,
- Panteleimon.
The end of the route is the port of Daphne, from which you can take a bus to the capital of the monastic republic, the city of Karje. The monasteries located in the depths of the peninsula will have to be reached on foot, covering distances from 2 to 15 km along mountain paths.
Each monastery on Mount Athos is good in its own way. The main one is the Great Lavra, founded by Athanasius of Athos more than a thousand years ago. The Russian monastery of St. Panteleimon was built in the 18th century. on the site of the Russian community, which arose here during the time of Prince Vladimir. The monastery-fortress of Esfigmen is an architectural complex of the 10th century. In the Dokhiar Monastery of the 9th century, there is the tallest church on Mount Athos. Amazing monastery of Simonopetra XIV century. has 7 floors and stands on a steep cliff, 200 m high. The way of building this monastery was revealed to its founder St. Simon in a dream.
In 20 monasteries of Athos, treasures of the Orthodox faith are collected: holy relics, relics, manuscripts, books, icons and much more, which are valuable not only for believers, but also for scientists and creative people of all professions.
Sea excursion
For women, children and those men who have not received a pass to Athos, excursions around the peninsula are organized on a cruise ferry. The approximate cost of the cruise for adults is 50 euros, for children - discounts.
The ship sails along the coast at a distance of no closer than 500 m, and from its side you can see 8 of 20 monasteries located on the picturesque slopes of Mount Athos:
- Zograf
- Constamonite
- Dochiar
- Xenophon
- Panteleimon
- Chiliandar
- Esfigmen
- Gregoriates
The cruise is designed for 6 hours, two of which tourists spend in Ouranoupoli, a small resort town on the western coast of the peninsula. Here you can take a break from the sea rocking, dine in restaurants or taverns, buy gifts from the Holy Mountain in numerous shops and shops, and stroll along the streets of Ouranoupoli. The city was founded in 315 BC. philosopher Alexarchus, brother of the ruler of Macedonia Kassandra. In it, he tried to realize the dream of an ideal state, invited residents from different lands, equated slaves with free citizens, invented a new language - Uranian and named the city Ouranoupoli, which means "City of Heaven", and its inhabitants - sons of Heaven. And to visit this city is a great success.
