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Centuries of self-isolation and devotion in the Orthodox-Greek religion have attributed to the Holy Mount a uniquely mystical millieu. At its height, in the 15th century A.D., the peninsula included 40 monasteries and ca. 40,000 monks.
 Today, the number of operating monasteries has been reduced down to 20, with a population of about 1700 monks. Surrounded by an uncounted wealth of ecclesiastical treasures, rare icons and libraries full of precious manuscripts, they live simply, according to the strict orders of prayer and labour.
Male visitors to the Holy Mount Athos are admitted only after special license. The rest can only complete a cruise around the breathtaking peninsula. Every cruise departs from Ouranoupolis and the monasteries' tour-guiding takes place in high proximity to the coast-line. It lasts about 3 hours and it is given in three languages: English, German and Greek. Twice a week it is given in Russian and once a week in Rumanian, in Polish, in Serbo-Croat and in Bulgarian. In our fairly reasonable fare-prices, a 10% discount in Ouranoupolis' best restaurant is also included. |
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Mount Athos raises fascinatingly up to 2033 metres above sea-level, covered with virgin forests of an enchanting natural beauty. This incredible peninsula has universally been the only territory dedicated to the worship of God and the Holy Virgin Mary, "Panaghia", for over a millenium now and is solely inhabited by monks.
In the year 885 A.D., the byzantine emperor Basil the First proclaimed it as exclusive property of the local monks and hermits. The first organised monastery got founded in 963 A.D. A century later, it was ordered that no woman could violate its holiness. This forbidance continues and no woman is allowed to set a foot on the Holy Mount.