mount athos
states: [greece]
category: mixed
year: 1988
location: Autonomous region of Mount Athos
region: Europe and North America
latitude/longitude: 40.2666700000, 24.2166700000
unesco id: 454
world heritage site: 454
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Mount Athos, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Greece, is a self-governing monastic community renowned for its spiritual and cultural significance. Home to 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries, it has been a center of religious devotion and scholarship since the 10th century. The peninsula’s rugged terrain and isolation have preserved its Byzantine architecture, ancient manuscripts, and traditional way of life. Access is restricted, with only male pilgrims permitted after obtaining special approval, reflecting its centuries-old misogynistic traditions.