ount Athos is the only monastic state in Europe or indeed anywhere in the world. It has been a source of inspiration to generation upon generation of people and it has played a leading role in the struggle of the Greek nation for spiritual and physical liberty. The first Christians reached the Holy Mountain in the time of the Emperor Constantine the Great, at the time when Constantinople had just become capital of the Eastern Roman Empire and Byzantium was taking shape.
A soul-stirring experience awaits the visitor to the Holy Mountain's monasteries, many of them perched alone among craggy rocks and lush greenery with spectacular vistas of the sea below. But it's not merely the view which will astound, but the artistic wealth hailing from Byzantium contained within the seminaries. Icons, mosaic floors, crosses, embroidered items, carpets, manuscripts on parchment, great religious works are among the priceless historical and cultural treasures that are only exhibited to the wider public on extremely rare occasions, such as in 1997 when Thessaloniki was Europe's Cultural Capital.

Megiste Lavra is the most senior Monastery on Mount Athos and was founded in 963 by St Athanasius of Athos with the help of the Byzantine emperor Nikiphoros Focas. The main church dates from the 10th century and has 16th century wall-paintings by the great artist Theofanis.
		The monastery was the recipient of benefactions and many valuable gifts from Byzantine emperors. Its collections today include precious stones, bibles, mosaic icons, challises, sacred vessels and outstanding wood-carvings. In the library there are 2,050 manuscripts, of which 470 codices and 50 scrolls are on parchment. These manuscripts, along with 10.000 early editions and other printed books, make the library of Megiste Lavra the most notable of all those of Mount Athos.

The treasures to be found in all the monasteries of the mountain are invaluable. Apart from the historical and artistic interest of the monasteries, visitors will find themselves in a spiritual inspiring environment. Pilgrims must be well prepared, act modestly at all times, respect the codes of the land, check that accommodation is available ahead of time and organise their transport.

Photos and text taken from "Chalkidiki & Mount Athos -   today and yesterday" (Toubis Editions)

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