Category Archives: trip 2017

1988 – A walk in ancient woods

Just after the big wooden cross on the southern ridge, a panoramic view opens. From there a long straight stretch until Stavros (cross) lays ahead. It is just nature there. No monasteries, sketes or buildings.The stretch is mostly covered and … Continue reading

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1986 – Prodromou from a far

According to the planning the next leg of our pilgrimage would bring us from Megistis Lavra to Nea Skiti. Directly from Lavra starts a monopati. Soon the monopati transfers to an open road made of concrete plates. But luckily after … Continue reading

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1982 – Megistis Lavra, some last pictures before moving on

The passage through the kitchen. The cobbled stones look like they are polished by centuries of footsteps. A strong sense of beauty made me shiver here.This picture is taken from the cells at the inside of the eastern wall. An … Continue reading

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1981 – Lavra, a close-up look

Time to take a close-up look at Lavra, to watch some details. The fountain in front of the catholicon was not working. The eagle spreads its wings. It doesn’t have two heads as might be expected. Below it we see … Continue reading

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1978 – An inspirational place, the arsanas of Megistis Lavra

Coming down from the old monopati the robust tower at the arsanas comes in view. On top a stairway can be seen leading to a little platform. Excellent outlook point.Here the cobbled monopati ends. The newer concrete dirt road crosses … Continue reading

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1977 – Megistis Lavra, a walk around the monastery

The minivan drove us from Karies to Megistis Lavra. Every seat was taken. A long and winding dirt road takes you there. The old footpaths are mostly destroyed by the dirt road. Only short patches remain. We had been visited … Continue reading

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1976 – Around the Protaton

After our walk to Koutloumousiou we could finally enter the Protaton. This is the oldest church (10th century but repaired in the 13th century) and the most important church on Athos. The church is dedicated to the Dormition of the … Continue reading

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1975 – a Flight over Athos, the movie

In post 1937 I already showed you the pictures I took during our Cessna flight on May 6th 2017. During that flight I had two cameras in both my hands: one for taking pictures and in the other hand I … Continue reading

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1972 – the hike in Kapsala – 2

Let’s start with reveiling that the short afternoon walk ended up in a unforgetable 9,34 kilometers exercise, that would fit in any modern boot-camp experience. Efrem guided us through one of most beautiful places on Mount Athos, where nature is … Continue reading

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1971 – Some details of Koutloumousiou

The delightful overshadowed concrete path that connects Karyes with the monastery of Koutloumousiou. On the route the yearly procession with the most famous of icons, the Axión Estin, takes place. We tried to make contact with the people in this … Continue reading

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