WELCOME TO MOUNT ATHOS INFORMATION

The Holy Mount Athos is an autonomous and self-governed territory of Greece. It occupies the whole of the third peninsula of Halkidiki Greece, about 50 km in length and having a breadth of 8-12 km covering an area of 330 square kilometers.

In the centre of the peninsula of Mount Athos rise a long range of hills and mountains, culminating in Mount Athos itself, 2,033m above sea level.

The boarder of this monastic state, where it meets the rest of Greece, is marked by an imaginary line drawn from Francocastro on the western coast across to Cape Arapis on the opposite coast, passing close it the foothills of the mountain “Megali Vigla” (Megas Zigos).

Until the 3rd Century BC, many small Greek towns existed on the peninsula of Athos, principally colonies originating from Chalkida and Eretria. The most important of which were Sani, Ouranoupolis, Thisson, Kleones, Dion, Akrathos and Olofixos. Later, these towns declined or were destroyed.

MONASTERIES IN MOUNT ATHOS

View all the monasteries in the Holy Mountain

Monastery Megistis Lavras

During the ten centuries of its existence, the monastery has always held the first place among the other monasteries of the Holy Mountain

Learn More

Monastery Agios Pavlou

It is situated in the west foot of Athos, 20 min from the sea and is dedicated in the Presentation of Christ to the temple.

Learn More

Monastery Agios Pandeleimonos

The monks are Greek and Russian, which outnumber the first after 1497. In the 18th c. the monastery is again in greek hands, only to fall back to the Russians in 1875.

Learn More