Mount Athos

World Heritage

Greece

🎧 Listen to Introduction

Mount Athos has been a spiritual centre of the Orthodox Church since 1054, having enjoyed autonomous status since Byzantine times. The "holy mountain", where women and children are forbidden to enter, is also a recognised artistic destination. The layout of its monasteries (around 20 of which currently house around 1,400 monks) has influenced as far away as Russia, and its schools of painting have influenced the history of Orthodox art.

# No entry for women and children

# Art destination