Mount Athos in Greece is a treasury of Orthodox faith. Also known as the Holy Mountain, it is the northernmost mountainous peninsula of the three that make up the Halkidiki peninsula. This monastic sanctuary is situated about 140 km southeast of Thessaloniki. The best way to get to Mount Athos is taking passenger ship Ouranoupolis to Daphne.

 Under the Greek Constitution Mountain Athos (Holy Mountain) is an independent administrative and political unit that has 20 monasteries with the right of self-government, which is operated by the "Holy Community" managing autonomy). The main town and administrative center is Karen, who is the governor's office as a representative of the Greek government. Spiritually, Mount Athos is under the direct jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Constantinople. Along with a 12 monasteries wandering (smaller monasteries) and 600 cells.

 Mount Athos is an area of ​​about 389 square kilometers, the length of this autonomous monastic republic is 57 km and width of about 7-10 km. Its highest peak rises to 2,038 km, and it remained under thick forest on a mountain. Nature here is pretty unique, consisting mainly of evergreen woody vegetation.

 One of the ancient Greek legends about this place tells Athos (Athos), who was a giant of Thrace. He fought long with the sea god Poseidon. Atos leaped stones you want to pouring Poseidon, but they poured on it. Ultimately Atos lost the battle and was killed and his body is very Athos - the whole peninsula.

 Shaping monastic community here took place in 963, when the monk Athanasios the Great Lavra monastery founded, which today is the largest of all 20 monasteries of Mount Athos. The monastery has enjoyed the patronage of the Byzantine emperors, which contributes to its rapid growth and increase its wealth and treasure.

 Today the territory of Mount Athos yet women are allowed. This rule of law in 1060, in the very temple there even a female. Every male devotee can visit Mount Athos, but only after receiving special permission from the special service for admission to the monastery. The only female creature who can step into the cloister are cats and chickens.

One of the most interesting and popular monasteries on Mount Athos is Hilendar. He was the greatest shrine of the Serbian people, and the hierarchical structure of the temples on Mount Athos, Monastery Hilendar ranks fourth. The enormous value that represents this monastery was assessed by UNESCO, which includes the Temple in the list of world cultural landmarks.

Another famous monastery Zografou, which is a real piece of religious architecture and art. Founded in the 10th century by the Bulgarians Aaron, Moses and John, Zografou Monastery on Mount Athos is considered historically Bulgarian Church on Mount Athos. It is one of the largest monasteries in Athos, in the hierarchy of the complex occupies ninth place. Today, the rich and valuable library Zographou keep 126 Greek and 388 Slavic manuscripts and approximately 10,000 printed books. Here ends of Plovdiv that his "Slav-Bulgarian History" in 1762, and its draft and today is stored in this impressive monastery on Mount Athos.