Monastery of Mount Athos

The Monastery of Mount Athos is a monastic community on a peninsula in northern Greece, known for its centuries-old tradition of Eastern Orthodox monasticism. It comprises 20 monasteries and numerous smaller schools and hermitages, predominantly inhabited by monks dedicated to prayer, contemplation, and spiritual study. Recognized for its rich religious heritage, it operates as an autonomous polity under Greek sovereignty, with strict access restrictions—primarily allowing male visitors. Historically significant, Mount Athos has been a center of Orthodox spirituality, art, and scholarship, maintaining its monastic traditions and cultural contributions for over a thousand years.