Stay

If one has brought the formalities to the entry in the monk's republic behind himself, the first way leads to the ferryboat to Dafni, which puts away in the morning about 09:45 o'clock in Ouranoupoli. There one must buy a ticket as well as show the Diamonitirion and the passport or identity card.

At the Athos harbour Dafni ordinarily occur no more controls, sometimes now and then from monks seen who would like to expose dressed up women as a man. In any case waits with the arrival of the ship already an old bus, which overload mostly completely after a possibly one-hour drive the management place Karies in the land inside reaches.

One must not take this bus, nevertheless, compellingly. One can move directly after the arrival for the permissible period freely on the holy mountain. One uses optimum proofs, nevertheless, at first this transport possibility.

In Karies one often hits on pilgrim's groups which wait for an Unimog which brings one to the desired monastery. One can join this or wander through the monk's republic alternatively.

At the gates of the monasteries (which close, as a rule, with sundown) is to be shown to the doorman the Diamonitirion. In the greeting there is mostly a sweet, a coffee or a trester schnapps. Afterwards a lodging is assigned which must be divided, as a rule, with other pilgrims. Indeed, the guest-rooms are simple and are furnished spartan, very clean, however, and are ordinarily already fitted out with bedclothes.

Everybody is warmly invited to the services in the monasteries, nevertheless, members of non-orthodox confidence must often pause in the anteroom of the churches.

In the matter of meals one should expect no set menu, rather it concerns rather scanty food which is sufficient, however, to the survival. It is taken in the Trapezería, the refectory, and now and then also monks are present, besides.

The libraries and treasuries of the monasteries are not ordinarily accessible to pilgrims. Only in special cases one can throw a look in. Also many other areas of the complexes are taboo for visitors.

In any case, the habits or regulations of the monasteries are to be kept. Thus discreet clothes are to be carried (long pants, upper parts of the body overcast). Photographs are prohibited, nevertheless, photos may be often done - but not always and everywhere. Of it are excluded churches and dining rooms. And esteem: to take a photo of monks without their explicit approval can fast lead to antagonism! Otherwise music instruments of all kind may not be used. Also swim is to be omitted in visibility of the monasteries and may also not smoke one everywhere.

The monasteries all raise no fees for the stay. One is declined compared with voluntary donations, however, not at all.

The return journey to Ouranoupoli must not occur compulsory from Dafni. There is also the possibility to get on in one of the monasteries which are in the west coast and dispose of an own investor. Of course only, provided that the ship puts away by the desired appointment also generally there, and if whether it is not already overcrowded then.

At the harbour of Dafni one is searched with the crossing the border for normally. With thus should be avoided that objects from the monasteries are stolen. Then the ship to Ouranoupoli mostly puts away about midday.