Women have been banned from this sacred mountain for 1,060 years. It holds ancient secrets.

In the heart of Greece, where the Aegean Sea approaches the Chalkidiki Peninsula, stands a place that has resisted civilization for a thousand years. Holy Mount Athos – a spiritual enclave where women are not allowed and life flows according to the rhythm of prayer, work and silence. This is the land of monks who have chosen isolation to find God and themselves.

Since 1060, women have been banned from Mount Athos. Legend has it that the Virgin Mary, enchanted by the beauty of the mountain, asked her son to make it her garden. The monks believe that she is the only woman allowed to be on the Holy Mountain. Violating the ban is punishable by imprisonment , and even ships with women on board are not allowed to approach the shore within 500 meters.

Mount Athos/photo Unsplash Stratiya Stratiev

Athos is an autonomous monastic republic, inhabited by over 2,000 monks . Their life is based on ancient Byzantine rules – in isolation, simplicity and prayer. The day begins before dawn with the sound of the talent – ​​a wooden hammer struck in rhythm, which calls for matins. After the liturgy, the monks eat a modest meal: boiled potatoes, olives, bread. They never eat meat, and fish is a holiday delicacy. They work in gardens, vineyards, paint icons, produce incense and natural cosmetics. In the evening, after vespers, there is a silent supper and reading of sacred texts. A monk's day is divided into three parts: prayer, work and rest.

You can only get to Athos by sea – by ferry from Ouranoupoli to Daphni. Entry by land is not possible. Pilgrims need special permission, and their stay is limited to three nights. From January 2025, new limits were introduced: monasteries can accept up to 200 people per month, and individual cells up to 20. Groups of more than five people are prohibited, unless they are students, pupils or military personnel.

Pilgrimages are possible only by official invitation from the monasteries. Unauthorized movement within the territory of the Holy Mountain and requests for accommodation in other monasteries without an invitation are prohibited. All pilgrims are required to obtain permission from the Pilgrimage Office no later than 12:00 on the day before arrival. It will not be possible to exceed the established limits, and violation of the rules will result in the cancellation of the invitation.

The peak of Athos rises to 2,033 meters. On its summit stands a cross, and a little lower the Chapel of the Transfiguration of the Lord . Climbing the mountain is not only a physical effort, but a spiritual experience. The monks believe that the soul is purified through the effort of climbing, and the mountain has a strong spiritual power.

There are about 20 monasteries on Athos, including Greek, Russian, Bulgarian and Serbian. All of them are monuments of the highest class, with valuable icons, liturgical vessels and collections of books. The monastery of the Prophet Elijah is the largest church on Athos, impressive, although somewhat different from the strict tradition of the place. In some monasteries, the skulls of deceased monks are kept, believing in their resurrection.

Fresco from Mount Athos/photo Unsplash Aleksei / Aleksey Simonenko / Симоненко

Athos is a place where time has stopped. The monks live without television, radio, or newspapers. The Internet and telephone are used only for practical purposes. There is no rush, stress, or noise here. It is a world that teaches silence, concentration, and humility. For many pilgrims, it is a spiritual oasis where one can find peace and the meaning of life.