See Protaton, Karyes, Greece

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Built in the middle of the 10th century CE [bell tower not added until 1534 CE], the Protaton—the seat of the ‘protos’ or head monk elected to lead the Athonite monastic community—is located in Karyes, the small town in the middle of Mount Athos that is the central meeting point for governance and commerce. The church is dedicated to the Dormition [Assumption] of the Virgin Mary and houses the famous icon of the Most Holy Mother of God called “Axion Esti” (“it is truly meet”). Most of Athos Peninsula, with Mt. Athos at its southern tip, is a male-only monastic enclave known as Mount Athos. Ascetics are believed to have started coming to the peninsula possibly as early as the 3rd century CE. In 885 CE, Byzantine emperor Basil I the Macedonian proclaimed Mount Athos a place of monks where laymen were prohibited from settling. The first monastery was established in 963 CE. Over the centuries, Mount Athos has managed to maintain a relative autonomy and its Orthodox Christian identity, even during the rule of the Ottoman Turks (1430-1912 CE), not to mention Nazi occupation. By the 11th century CE Mount Athos had 180 monasteries. Today 20 remain with 2,300 monks from Greece, Russia, Romania, and Serbia. The ban on women—officially proclaimed by Byzantine emperor Constantine IX Monomachus in 1046 CE, among others—is meant to make it easier for men living in celibacy. Female animals other than cats, insects, and songbirds are also barred. The ban is controversial in the European Union where Greece is a member. Male visitors must obtain a permit and pay a fee. Each day nominally 100 Orthodox and 10 non-Orthodox males are granted permits good for a stay of up to four days/three nights. Mount Athos was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988.

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