Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, it is one of the most extraordinary religious sites in Greece. The only snag is that it is very difficult to enter, and it is even rigorously impossible for women, who are not even allowed to approach more than 300 m from the coast. Perhaps we will take advantage of one of the cruises that go around it and show you six monasteries, visible from the sea. Those who want to discover this superb region will have to make arrangements several weeks in advance. Athos rises in a grandiose way in a virgin landscape of unheard-of beauty, further enhanced by the architectural elegance of the monasteries and the presence of majestic mountains whose summit reaches 2,033 m. The length of the peninsula is 50 km and its width is between 5 and 10 km. According to legend, the Holy Mountain is the stone that the giant Athos threw to defend himself against Poseidon. The name Athos appears in the oldest Greek texts, including those of Homer and Aeschylus. The first ascetics would have chosen this place as early as the 7th century and the monasteries appeared in the 10th century. The Holy Mountain has 20 monasteries. Representatives from each autonomous monastery ensure that everything is done according to an internal constitution. They also follow the old calendar: the first hour is not midnight, but sunset. Let's go. Ouranoupolis is accessible by bus from Thessaloniki (www.ktel-chalkidikis.gr).

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Pictures and images Mont Athos – Aghion Oros

Aghio Panteleimon. Omdim - Fotolia
Monastère du Christ Pantocrator. Alamer - Iconotec
Grégoriou. cruphoto - iStockphoto.com
Simonopetra. NMaverick - Fotolia
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