Category Archives: border

2122 – The old pilgrimage routes to the Holy Mountain

Posted on March 22, 2020 by

This old map from a German book dated 1934 makes it clear that the pilgrim’s  route to the Holy Mountain started in Ierissos. There were two possibilities, the eastern route to Vatopedi, Iviron and eventually Lavra and the route that … Continue reading →

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2023 – A walk along the border

Posted on October 6, 2018 by

This September I spent the holidays with my wife in the beautiful Skites Resort between Ouranoupolis and the Athos border. No plans to visit Athos but after some  time I felt the urge to make a long walk and see … Continue reading →

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1836 – Ouranoupolis in the rain

Posted on August 8, 2016 by

                 When arriving at Makedonia airport in september 2015 it was raining very hard. Water flowed through the streets of Thessaloniki. But we safely reached the busstation by taxi and took the bus to Ouranoupolis, the town in Chalkidiki were … Continue reading →

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1793 – BBC television 14/2/16: Simon Reeve visits Athos/Esfigmenou illegaly

Posted on February 14, 2016 by

Although it was announced that Simon Reeve would show his journey to the Peloponnese tonight, but to my surprize he ended up in the North of Greece, where he filmed his visit to the Holy Mountain. First he takes the … Continue reading →

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1665 – Strictly forbidden for women, female animals and vehicles.

Posted on January 24, 2015 by

Photo of the border gate by Dutch writer Gerard Koolschijn taken in the 1970ties. In his novel  “Geen Sterveling weet” he writes about his walk to the border: Voordat de nacht viel, slenterde ik langs de branding naar de heilige … Continue reading →

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1465 – Skites hotel and bungalows

Posted on October 23, 2013 by

When in Ouranoupolis don’t skip the Skites hotel and bungalows. You can’t miss it when walking to the Mt. Athos border 850 meters from the town. It is perfect place to stay or to eat and drink because totally different … Continue reading →

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1457 – the Athos border at Komitsa beach

Posted on October 9, 2013 by

Most pilgrims know the Athos border near Ouranopolis, that is situated some 3 km from this little town. Here are two pictures from the border taken last month:                         … Continue reading →

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1456 – along the Athos border

Posted on October 8, 2013 by

The day before we started our 2013 Athos pilgrimage I had the opportunity to rent a bike in Ouranopoli (one morning only € 5,00, a whole day € 12). With the help of an App I could track the route … Continue reading →

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1451 – Athos border at Komitsa

Posted on September 22, 2013 by

Tomorrow we will visit Athos again. Here are some pictures of the border at the other side of the peninsula, at the beach of Komitsa. The empty Athos-beach with Cape Arapis in the background. Wim, 22/9

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1318 – the aftermath of the Athos forest fires August 2012

Posted on August 29, 2012 by

One of our Dutch readers, Hans Overduin, finished his visit to Athos on August 14th, just after the recent fires were extinguished on August 12th (see post 1315). The next day he had the opportunity to see the results of … Continue reading →

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