Esphigmenou Monastery, Orthodox monastery on Mount Athos, Greece
Esphigmenou Monastery is an Orthodox monastery on the eastern coast of Mount Athos in Greece, facing the sea and surrounded by thick stone walls. The courtyard opens around a main church, and the monks' cells are arranged along the inner walls on several floors.
The foundation took place in the late 10th century, probably under the patronage of a Byzantine nobleman. Pirates raided the complex several times during the Middle Ages, but the monastery experienced a revival from the 18th century onward through donations and internal reforms.
The name Esphigmenou means
Access follows the general rules of Mount Athos, with permission granted only to male visitors and prior registration at the pilgrimage office. The grounds sit right by the water, so hikers can use the coastal path that connects the individual monasteries.
The refectory preserves frescoes from the 16th and 17th centuries and is considered the oldest surviving building within the complex. The library holds rare manuscripts, including document number 14 with exceptional miniatures from the Byzantine era.
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