In post 1505 we told you about the coming millenium of the Russian presence on Athos in 2016 and the plan to restore the old Russian properties, including Xilourgou, the settlement of the Assumption of Our Lady. Plan of Xylourgou (Google maps), with (at that time) ruined buildings, directly on the right after entering.

The next picture is shot on the road in the upper left corner of this picture, looking towards Xylourgou.

The upcoming restauration was one of the reasons to pay a visit to Xylourgou in September 2013, because in a few years time it might look quite different! Let’s hope that the Russians will NOT cover Mount Athos with tarmac, to transport President Putin to the renovated buildings in 2016.

  The stone walls of access road leading to the main road are under construction   Xylourgou, with Skiti Profitou Eliou in the background Looking back to the access road The entrance doors of the main gate The courtyard with a well and the katholicon behind it. On the left the main building , and on the far left the ruined buildings and a chapel A closer view of the ruined buildings in the left corner of the courtyard The main building of Xylourgou detail of the main building The main building seen from the other site (South) The door of the main building Detail of the fresco above the door                  Bells in the corridor

The right corner of the courtyard (N). Most buildings here seem to be renovated recently. The katholicon A closer look inside: at that moment a service took place. An icon in the lithi Outside the settlement: the gardenThe garden, with the church on the right The edge of the garden The garden with the chapel Photo of Skiti Profitou Eliou, towards the South

Wim, 12/2