On our trip in 2009 I saw for the first time the 18th century ruins of the Athonite Academy close to Vatopedi. This school was intended to become the principal centre for higher education for all Greek speaking people . After a few years in 1753 it became a classic university with Greek and Latin literature, philosophy and mathematics it provided a complete course of classical learning. Soon their came opposition from monks who regarded the teaching at the academy as novel, dangereous and incompatible with their monastic traditions. So the real use of this building was between 1748 and 1759. Already in 1765 a visitor refered to it as a ” nest of crows” . Several attempts were made to revive the school but the school closed the last time in 1809. It was partly destroyed by fire afterwards probaby by opposing monks. (info thanks so G. Speake, Mount Athos Renewal in Paradise)
Reconstruction of the school build in 1747 on a hill overlooking the bay of Vatopedi.
When we walked by it we saw that some restaurations were being made. We walked all day starting from Iviron/Mylopotamos and were to tired to descent to the site itself.
The chapel in the middle is clearly rebuild.
The aquaduct provided the academy with water from the hills
hv
Very long report in Vanity Fair about Greece and Vatopedi – worth reading.
It seems to be he had a permit only for Vatopedi.
http://www.vanityfair.com/business/features/2010/10/greeks-bearing-bonds-201010?currentPage=all
Hi Herman,
The Athonite Academy or formally “Athonias Ecclesiastical Academy” known on Athos as “Athoniada” is still functioning to this very day. I am a former student. The academy opened in 1749 and ceased to operate at the above building around 1821 when the Greek Revolution began. It re-opened in Karies in 1842 and moved into a custom built building in Karies in 1844. In 1930 the academy moved to its current premises (Former guest wing of St. Andrews Skete) and ceased operating in 1940 due to World War 2. It re-opened in 1953 and has remained open since.
It is the oldest functioning school in Greece and one of the oldest in the world.
See: http://lyk-ekkl-athon.chal.sch.gr/Istoselides/index.htm
Also: Search for Athonias Ecclesiastical Academy on Facebook.
hi !!! I want to know if there Restoration plans for these ruins. Thank you very much for this splendid Bolog . God bless you all ! Please let me know about this topic to the mail andoriaxxx.@yahoo.com , and I would be honored to know the blog owner . God bless
I should like to be in contact with Mr. Wim Voogd.
who is Wim Woogd ? and he has the answer to My questions ?
Dear Antone F,
Wim Voogd is the web master of this weblog. I never heard of any plans of restoring the old ruins of the Athonite Academy above Vatopediou, also because there is a new academy next to Skiti Andreou near Karyes (look here infor more: http://www.athoniada.gr/
Wim Voogd
Thank you very much for information , seems to have so many knowledgeable on Mount Athos .I personally being directly interested in restoring and preserving history monumenlelor and believe that restoring those will bring value to the whole world . I hope that in future all the historical monuemtele on Athos to be restored and put into use .I know that the European Commission trying to make new rules what is absurd to do after 1000 years. Thank you very much Mr. Wim and I would love to know you to discuss more detail about this subject.it seems that you reside in Holland. So..me to…Rotterdam To be more specific .Thank you and God bless us