Karies

Capital of the Theocratic Republic Athos is Karies (also: Karyes). The location is quite right in the middle of the peninsula and is snaped at bus by the Athos harbour Dafni.

In Karies is the seat of the Protos (the First), to the spiritual leader of all monasteries of the monk's republic which is elected by the meeting of the abbots in each case on lifetime.

For long time the small town was rather meaningless. Leading in the monk's republic were at first the monasteries Iviron, Megistis Lavra and Vatopediou which delivered a constant struggle for power around the supremacy to themselves. Only later it attained by imperial golden bulls more importance and became as a result also a seat of the holy community.

The most famous building of Karies is from the 10th century coming and the dormition of the mother of God (Ascension) consecrated church Protaron. In it is also kept as a miracle-active valid icon Axion Esti.