Where Women Cannot Set Foot

Women are not allowed within 500 meters of the coast, even female animals are not allowed to walk on the sacred mountain of Athos.
Mount Athos, where women are not allowed
Mount Athos lies on a peninsula of 335 square kilometers. This is home to the oldest Christian community in the world, dating back to the 9th century. Photo: Travis Dove.
There are 20 monasteries and about 2,000 monks here

. Mount Athos banned women more than 1,000 years ago. They are not allowed to appear within 500 m of the sea. However, there are still women who defy the law forbid to go to the peninsula During the Greek civil war from 1946 to 1949, the place was returned to peasants, bringing with it women and young girls to hunt.



In 1953, a Greek woman disguised as a man came here. It was then ordered to ban women from traveling to Athens with a 12-month prison sentence for violators. Most recently in 2008, four Moldovan women were abandoned on the island by human traffickers. Local police arrested the four, but an official said the monks forgave them. Photo: Lonicel Stefan / Shutterstock.
The prohibition applies to female animals, except cats, because they are very good at catching mice. This rule is said to be rooted in Mary being washed away to the Athos peninsula, and she prayed here as her own It is still called the "Garden of the Blessed Mother" and only she represents her women on Mount Athos.



It is believed that the presence of women can distract the monks, causing them to have a desire to marry and marry. That is a sin. Dr. Graham Speake, author of Mount Athos Renovation in paradise, said the entire peninsula is considered a giant monastery. Therefore, banning women is the simplest way to become completely celibate. Photo: Vlas2000.
The peninsula is also limited in tourism, welcoming only about 100 pilgrims and 10 male tourists a day. They can stay for 3 nights at one of the 20 monasteries.



Some monks don't want to be bothered by the pilgrims. “They came here just to look at us. It made me feel like a monkey in a zoo, ”said Veserius. Photo: Ververidis Vasilis / Shutterstock.
Inside the monasteries is ornate. This is also the place where monks live and live. Prayer takes up the majority of the time, most of it taking place at night when the monastery is quietest. At dawn the monks lit candles.



They believe that this is the moment they are closest to God and prayers can be heard. Photo: Rick Findler.
When eating and drinking, monks must keep quiet and listen to prayers. Their food is mostly vegetables, sometimes fish and water or wine. Most of the food is grown on the monastery's farms, and the monks also have vineyards for making wine. Photo: Rick Findler.
In addition to praying, the monks took their time to clean the guesthouse, brew wine, prepare dinner, and build and renovate the monastery. When working, they also often recite the scriptures, because of the concept that it is a work directly given by God.



Photo: Rick Findler.
Monks remain united even after death. Their remains were washed in red wine, according to ancient Greek customs and placed in a chapel. They say that leaving life is very peaceful if the concept of living for God and dying with the outside world. Photo: Travis Dove.
Some monks live in isolation, instead of staying in the monastery to avoid distractions. This secluded place is called Karoulia, with houses lying on the cliffs. They believe that there is closer to God.



Most of the houses here are not easily accessible, food and firewood are delivered by baskets attached to pulleys. If the accommodation is too difficult to reach, one person will raise a flag for other monks to visit when in need. Photo: Rick Findler.
Visitors wishing to visit the archipelago can register by sending a copy of their passport to the Pilgrims Office, then traveling by ferry from the two nearest ports in Ouranoupoli City and Ierissos Town. Pictured is the monastery of Saint Panteleimon, one of the biggest attractions on the peninsula. There is enough room for 500 guests at a time. Photo: Rostislav Ageev.
The peninsula is about 500 km from Athens, a 5 hour drive away.



Guests can choose domestic flights of Ellinair and Olympic Air, to Thessaloniki airport. Air tickets range from 51 USD to 130 USD (1.2 - 2.99 million VND). From the airport, you take a bus to Ouranoupoli city, where the port to the island is located. Cheaper for tourists is a night train, priced at 23 - 65 USD (530,000 - 1.5 million VND).
According to Lan Huong / Vnexpres
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