Many countries around the world boast stunning natural landscapes that attract millions of tourists each year, drawn to their charm and beauty. Greece, with its numerous islands and beaches, stands out as a premier tourist destination. However, there is one unique area in Greece that is off-limits to women. This area, known as Mount Athos, is exclusively accessible to men. Therefore, if you are a woman reading this article, we advise you to stop here. For men, welcome to Mount Athos.
To understand more about Mount Athos, a place where women are prohibited, it’s important to note that it is located on the northeastern coast of Greece. This mountainous peninsula spans 335 square kilometers and, while under Greek sovereignty, operates as a self-governing monastic state since Byzantine times. Due to its cultural significance, it has been listed as a World Heritage Site since 1988, serving as a sacred refuge for over two thousand Orthodox monks from Greece and other countries for over 1,000 years.
Because of its sacred status, women are strictly prohibited from entering or even approaching Mount Athos. Female animals and birds are also banned, with the exception of caged male birds and male bulls that roam the peninsula’s pastures. The only exception to this rule is the presence of cats. Although this prohibition might seem unusual, it is rooted in Orthodox traditions. According to these traditions, the Virgin Mary is said to have visited Mount Athos when she veered off course while sailing from Jaffa to Cyprus and was deeply fond of the place. Consequently, women do not visit this area, which is considered a “Garden of the Virgin Mary,” with the Virgin being the sole female presence.
To visit Mount Athos, the first step is to send a copy of your passport to the “Mount Athos Pilgrimage Office” along with your personal details such as your name, father’s name (not mother’s), and expected arrival date. This is required to issue a permit. Each day, 100 Orthodox and 10 non-Orthodox male visitors are allowed to stay for up to three nights at one of the twenty monasteries on the peninsula. Visitors are transported by boat and ferry, and women are strictly prohibited from even approaching the shores within 500 meters. Children are also allowed, provided they are accompanied by an adult, typically their father. Monks and visitors start their day at 4 a.m., and monasteries close to everyone after sunset. Monks spend their days in prayer and communal work, including farming. Mobile phones and internet use are permitted.
Due to Mount Athos’s strict regulations, one of the main challenges faced by its inhabitants is the lack of eggs and dairy products, as there are no female animals such as chickens, cattle, or buffalo. These products are imported in small quantities. Meat consumption is also prohibited, and the diet consists mainly of bread, vegetables, fruits, and fish.
Have Women Ever Visited Mount Athos?
Certainly, this is a question that arises for many readers. The answer is yes, but under exceptional circumstances. During the Greek Civil War in the 1940s, Mount Athos provided a safe haven for many peasants, including women and girls. In 1953, a woman named Maria Boumenidou disguised herself as a man and visited the peninsula for three days, causing a significant stir. This led the Greek authorities to enact a law banning women from Mount Athos, with violators facing up to 12 months in prison. In 2008, four women from Moldova were landed on the shores by Ukrainian smugglers, were briefly detained by the police, and later released after the monks forgave them for the mistake. The ban continues to face opposition within the European Union, with criticism from Orthodox women and feminist organizations regarding its impact on their rights.
Despite the numerous visitors to Mount Athos each year, one of the most notable visits was by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who visited twice, first in 2005 and again in 2016, to celebrate the millennium of Russian Orthodox monastic presence on the peninsula.
An intriguing legend surrounds an Orthodox Greek monk who passed away in 1938 at the age of 82 without ever having seen a woman. The story goes that he was born in 1856, and after his mother died shortly after his birth, he was sent to Mount Athos. He was adopted by the monks and lived there his entire life, never leaving the peninsula until his death. However, this story has not been conclusively verified.
Mount Athos is not the only place where women are prohibited. For instance, the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala, India, restricts entry to women aged 10 to 50. Activists are currently seeking to overturn this ban in the Supreme Court. Additionally, Mount Omin in Japan is considered sacred by followers of Shugen-do, a Japanese folk religion, where male adherents undergo challenging physical trials to test their faith.
