Visit Halkidiki, explore a Paradise in Greece.

The visit of Russia's president Putin to Mount Athos

The visit of Russia's president Putin to Mount Athos

President's Putin first visit in Mount Athos, 2005

He was the first Russian leader to visit the male-only community, on a narrow, rocky peninsula east of Thessaloniki, Russian TV reported. The trip was part of Mr Putin's two-day visit to Greece.

Mr Putin arrived at the monastic harbour of Dafni on board a private yacht amid heavy security. He visited the Russian Orthodox Saint Panteleimon monastery - one of 20 at the site.

Mr Putin had had to call off two earlier attempts to visit Mount Athos, regarded as the European cradle of Orthodox Christianity, the main religion in Russia.

His plan to visit in 2004 had to be cancelled following the Beslan school siege. A previous attempt in 2001 was scrapped because of bad weather.

"This is a very special place for Orthodox Christians and the whole Christian world. In Russia, we always held the monks who lived here in great admiration and respect," he was quoted as saying.

Some 1,500 monks live in the semi-autonomous monastic community, which is also known as Holy Mountain. It houses Serbian, Bulgarian, Romanian, as well as Russian, monasteries and monks are entitled to Greek and European citizenship regardless of their country of origin.

Women - even many female domestic animals - have not been allowed on the mountain since a decree banning women was issued by Byzantine Emperor Constantine Monomachos in 1060.

source/credits: https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4229342.stm



Explore more places in Halkidiki

Nea Fokaia Halkidiki

Nea Fokaia Halkidiki

Photos & information


Share this

    Popular beaches in Halkidiki
  • Nea Fokaia Beach
  • Lagomandra Beach
  • Akti Kalogrias Beach
  • Mola Kaliva Beach
  • Porto Karras Beach
    Popular beaches in Halkidiki
  • Vourvourou Beach
  • Nea Fokaia Beach
  • Akti Elias Beach
  • Mola Kaliva Beach
  • Armenistis Beach

Halkidiki Travel Mobile App - works without internet connection


Weather in Halkidiki

Weather in Halkidiki


Explore the top winter destination in Greece

Explore the top summer destination in Greece

Find the best hotels in Halkidiki

Sailing in Halkidiki

Scuba Diving in Halkidiki

Rent a car in Halkidiki

Taxi and Transfer in Halkidiki

Find flights to and from Thessaloniki Airport Macedonia

View live traffic on the roads of Halkidiki


© 2023 HalkidikiTravel, All Rights Reserved | designed & managed by hoteligence.gr, a member of imarketing.gr network