Earthquake on Mount Athos: Historic monasteries in Greece damaged

Mount Athos on the Greek peninsula of Chalkidiki is an extraordinary place: For over a thousand years, only men have been allowed to enter it – women are strictly excluded . The secluded monastic republic, with its centuries-old Orthodox monasteries, is considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Christian world. The monasteries are among the most spiritually and architecturally significant buildings in Greece.

But on Saturday afternoon, June 7, the earth shook around the holy mountain. Visitors should be aware of this now.

An underwater earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale shook the region, felt as far away as Thessaloniki, Kavala , and the island of Thassos. The epicenter was just a few kilometers off the coast of Mount Athos at a depth of approximately 12.5 kilometers. The historic monasteries of Simonos Petras and Vatopedi were particularly affected.

According to the Greek news channel "ERT News," there was visible damage to the monastery complex: tiles fell from the roofs, plaster peeled from the walls, and stones tumbled onto paths and courtyards. A pilgrim was slightly injured when he fell while leaving a building, according to the report.

The response was not long in coming: Firefighters and monument protection teams traveled to Mount Athos that same day. Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Yiannis Kefalogiannis also spoke out, making it clear: "The safety of the monks and pilgrims is our highest priority."

In addition to emergency teams, technicians from the Technical Chamber of Central Macedonia are also on site to assess the damage and check the stability of the centuries-old monastery buildings.

In particular, the Simonos Petras Monastery – spectacularly situated on a rocky outcrop above the sea – appears to be close to the epicenter.

The Simonos Petra Monastery was the most severely affected by the earthquake.

Source: IMAGO/Depositphotos

What's surprising, amid this exceptional situation, is that the stream of pilgrims continues unabated. According to ERT News, around 1,500 men arrived on the day of the earthquake alone. The boats from Ouranoupoli to Daphne, the only access to the monks' territory, are full.

Visiting Mount Athos is still possible, but it is advisable to follow current information closely and contact authorities or tour operators directly if you have any questions. Many monasteries are welcoming visitors as usual, although minor repairs are currently underway.

The Greek Organization for Meanwhile, the Office for Earthquake Planning and Protection (OASP) advises visitors and residents to avoid damaged buildings and, if possible, to use only safe routes – especially in steep, impassable monastery locations such as Simonos Petras, reports “ERT News” .

Travelers should expect increased security measures and be especially cautious in the event of possible aftershocks.

Greece is one of the most earthquake-prone holiday destinations in Europe : 102 earthquakes were recorded between 1900 and 2021. In addition to Crete, the islands of Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Kos, and Rhodes in the Aegean Sea, as well as Kefalonia, Zakynthos, and Lefkada in the Ionian Sea, are particularly at risk. On the mainland, Athens and Thessaloniki are considered risk areas.

Most recently, the earth shook near Rhodes off the Turkish coast and on Crete .

If a disaster such as an earthquake occurs at their vacation destination, package travelers have the right to cancel their trip and request a partial refund, explains travel lawyer Paul Degott. Tour operators must independently inform those affected and provide support in the event of problems.

Only services already used—such as outbound flights or hotel accommodations—must be paid for. Additional costs for an earlier return trip, as well as repatriation and rescue operations, are shared between the traveler and the tour operator.

Anyone planning a trip to the affected region should follow current reports and coordinate with their provider. Earthquakes are considered "extraordinary circumstances," meaning that a free cancellation may be possible if you are directly affected. However, a travel warning alone is usually not legally sufficient, according to the European Consumer Centre Germany.

Individual travelers without a package tour are dependent on goodwill in such events; there is no legal right to reimbursement.

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