Halkidiki: Mount Athos
Outstanding!
Mount Athos |
Mount Athos was officially established in 963 A.D., when a monk named Athanasios the Athonite built the Monastery of the Great Lavra. However, anchorites had been living at the northern end of the Athos peninsula since the middle of the ninth century. In the centuries that followed, twenty monasteries were built, together with a number of smaller communities.
Foreign visitors have to apply for and obtain special permission to visit the Monks' Republic, and women are not allowed here at all. For this reason, we will inspect the mountain from a distance.
We will drive to the village Ouranoupolis, where we will embark on a small boat. The cruise will take us along the western coast of Mount Athos. While sailing, you will have the opportunity to view and photograph Europe's most unique Monks' Republic with it's impressive Byzantine Monasteries. To this day, 1700 monks still live under strict rule on the Holy Mountain. Upon returning to Ouranoupolis, there will be some time at leisure for a swim or to shop, before we depart for our return trip. Notes: Available to Halkidiki Hotel residents only. From: Halkidiki (Prefecture)
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