Mount Athos has an extensive network of footpaths, many of which date back to the Byzantine period. These paths are typically trails designed for human foot traffic and mules, and are not wide enough for motor vehicles. They connect the various monasteries, sketes, cells, kathismas, and hermitages on the peninsula to each other.[1][2]

History

Many of the footpaths of Mount Athos date back to the Byzantine period. Some are cobblestone paths (kalderimi), while most are dirt trails (monopatia).

Starting in the 1960s, many of the footpaths began to fall into disrepair. However, in the 21st century, the Friends of Mount Athos and other volunteers have been restoring and maintaining the footpaths for pilgrims and monks to use.[3] Today, most of the footpaths are signed, well maintained, and in good condition. The Friends of Mount Athos footpath group also maps out GPX files for the footpaths and monitors their conditions.[1][4]

Eastern coast

Map of Mount Athos

From north to south in order, the footpath network on the eastern coast of the Athonite peninsula takes pilgrims through the following sites.[1]

Western coast

From north to south in order, the footpath network on the western coast of the Athonite peninsula takes pilgrims through the following sites. The western coast is steeper and more rugged than the eastern coast.[1]

Southern coast

The rugged southern coast, which forms the southern slope of the main summit of Mount Athos, is also known as the Desert of Mount Athos, a reference to the Scetis Desert where Christian monasticism had originated. Hesychast hermits have traditionally lived in this area.

From east to west in order, the footpath network takes pilgrims through:[1]

Way of the Bey

The Way of the Bey (Greek: Μονοπάτι της Κορυφογραμμής or Δρόμος του Μπέη) primarily runs along the Athos peninsular ridge. It starts from Esphigmenou Monastery, reaches its highest point at the peak of Antiathonas (1042 m), and ends at Dionysiou Monastery.[6]

See also

Bibliography

  • Howorth, Peter (2022). Mount Athos: The Holy Mountain. Filathonites. ISBN 978-0-473-41386-6. (a detailed multilingual map of Mount Athos in English, Greek, and Russian; also contains notes in German, French, Italian, Serbian, Bulgarian, and Romanian)
  • Thomas, Chris and Howorth, Peter (2022). Encounters on the Holy Mountain. ISBN 978-2-503-58911-4. (stories from Mount Athos)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Footpaths of the Holy Mountain – FOMA". FOMA. 2019-01-06. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
  2. ↑ "Mount Athos Footpaths". Monastiriaka. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  3. ↑ Speake, Graham; Ware, Kallistos (2012). Mount Athos: Microcosm of the Christian East. Oxford: Lang, Peter, AG, Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften. ISBN 978-3-0353-0233-2. OCLC 823378976.
  4. ↑ Footpaths of the Holy Mountain: Table of footpaths with conditions, walking times & links to descriptions and GPS tracks (Version 5.0). Friends of Mount Athos, September 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  5. ↑ Lilios, Loukas K. (2017). Mount Athos: Pilgrimage to "The Garden of Virgin Mary". Translated by Konstantina, Vlachoutsakou. Livadia: Lilios Publishers. ISBN 978-618-81848-6-2.
  6. ↑ Howorth, Peter; Thomas, Christopher; Baetens, R.; Charles, Prince of Wales (2020). Encounters on the Holy Mountain: stories from Mount Athos. Turnhout, Belgium. ISBN 978-2-503-58911-4. OCLC 1196244710.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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