Within 1 day you will visit monasteries and cells and hermitages of the Holy Mount, learn about the local life and habits. You will get an opportunity to visit the Holy monastery of Panteleimon where holy relics are kept for hundreds of years.
1st day. Mount Athos
Getting to the port in Ouranoupolis. Arranging for “Diamonitirion”. Lenten breakfast. Boarding and departure for Mount Athos. Tour around Holy Mount monasteries. Getting back to the port of Ouranoupolis. Transfer to the hotel.
Setting off to the port of Ouranoupolist in the early morning. Arranging for a special visa (Diamonitirion) necessary for being admitted on the territory of the “monks’ republic”. After having a lenten breakfast you will get to Mount Athos by ship. Our guide will show you around the monasteries of the Mount. Then you will return to Ouranoupolis and Beleon tours will get you back to the hotel.
Tour objects:
The Holy Mountain Athos
Mount Athos is one of the highest points of Halkidiki Peninsular. For Orthodox Christians this is a place chosen by Mother of God herself. Beginning from the 19th century AD Byzantine granted this part of Halkidiki dominated by the high mountain a unique status of a monastic state where any mundane activity is banned. There 20 functioning monasteries and 2700 monks on Mount Athos today. It is more than thousands years since fairer sex has been banned from here and only men are allowed to visit the Holy Mountain. Women can only observe it at the distance of 500 m from the coastline.
The Holy Monastery of Saint Panteleimon
Its modern architecture differs greatly from the traditional Athonite monasteries. The monastery’s last renovation was held in the 19th century when there was no need in constructing fortifications against the pirates’ attacks.
Ouranoupolis
Ouranoupolis (Gr. “City of the Heaven”) is located not far from Mount Athos. This city is popular mostly among pilgrims, who every year set off from Ouranoupolis port for the Holy Mountain. This place is not rich in entertainment spots, so strong is here the influence of the holy religious objects. It is a spiritual destination. However, one can always find here a tavern with traditional Greek food.
The Tower of Andronikos
The tower was built in 1344 by the Monastery of Vatopedion in order to protect the city from attacks on the land as well as from the sea. The tower is in good condition and it became the symbol of Ouranoupolis. Nowadays it hosts museum with different archeological finds.
The Holy Monastery of Dochiarios
Holy Monastery of Vatopedion
Vatopedion, one of the oldest monasteries on Athos, was built in 972-985 by three monks Athanasius, Antonius and Nicholas. There is a katholikon of the 10th century, 16 smaller churches and a library that has thousands of manuscripts, scrolls and different printed material. Among the cloister’s treasures are 7 wonderworking icons with a miraculous icon of Panagia Pantanassa (Most-Holy Queen of All) famous for its healing powers against cancer and icon of Mother of God of “Comfort and Consolation” favoured by Dimitry of Rostov. The main holy relics of Vatopedion monastery are Cincture of the Theotokos, the skull of St. John Chrysostom, fragment of the Life-Giving Cross, relics of saints.
The Holy Monastery of Iviron
Skete of St. Apostle Andrew
The Skete of St. Apostle Andrew was founded on Mount Athos in 1841 by the Russian monk Bessarion. The largest cathedral church of Mount Athos was erected here which stores the fragrant part of the frontal bone of Apostle Andrew.
Additional information
- Only men are permitted
Religious
Within 1 day you will visit monasteries and cells and hermitages of the Holy Mount, learn about the local life and habits. You will get an opportunity to visit the Holy monastery of Panteleimon where holy relics are kept for hundreds of years.