Mount Athos, also known as Agion Oros (Holy Mountain), is a peninsula in Northern Greece dedicated solely to prayer and worship. As an Orthodox spiritual center since 1054, it has maintained autonomous status and is governed by the "Holy community" under the ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988, it comprises 20 monasteries and various other dwellings. Mount Athos, with its impressive height of 2,033 meters, offers breathtaking natural beauty, including lush forests, steep cliffs, and abundant water sources. The monasteries feature a distinctive architectural style resembling castles, adorned with towers, intricate chancel screens, and exquisite murals and icons.
This sacred place serves as a living museum, preserving art, ethnology, and ecclesiastical history.
Access to Mount Athos is strictly limited to men due to the "AVATON" rule, enforced by law, prohibiting female entry.
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