Great Lavra

The Great Lavra spans 72,000 acres across Mount Athos, featuring a central church, multiple chapels, living quarters, gardens, and fortified walls.

Established in 963 by Athanasius the Athonite with support from Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, the monastery grew from 160 to 700 monks by the 11th century.

The monastery maintains a library containing ancient manuscripts, religious texts, and Byzantine artifacts that document Orthodox Christian traditions through the centuries.

Male visitors need special permits from Mount Athos authorities to enter the monastery, and must arrange transportation to reach this remote location.

Twenty-seven patriarchs, 150 bishops, and 168 abbots have resided at Great Lavra throughout its history, as recorded in the millennium-old Kouvara book.

Location: monastic community of Mount Athos

Inception: 10 century

Founders: Athanasius the Athonite

Architectural style: Byzantine architecture

GPS coordinates: 40.17088,24.38273

Latest update: May 16, 2025 05:02