Great Lavra

The Megisti Lavra is the **first and largest monastery of Mount Athos**, founded in **963 AD** by Saint Athanasius the Athonite with funding from the Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus Phocas. It is the oldest monastery with continuous operation on Mount Athos — over 1,060 years of uninterrupted monastic life. It holds the **first position in the Hierarchy** of the 20 monasteries of the Athonite state and is located at the southeastern tip of the peninsula, near the slopes of Mount Athos itself. An invaluable treasure: the monastery houses the **relic of Saint Athanasius**, its founder, as well as the icon of the Virgin Mary Glykophilousa — considered one of the most important Byzantine icons that have survived. Its library contains over **2,046 manuscripts** and 20,000 old printed books. Architecturally, it represents the classic Athonite type: central katholikon, refectory, defensive towers, gates, and cells. The frescoes of the katholikon (16th-17th centuries) are among the best examples of post-Byzantine painting. For male pilgrims with accommodation: the Megisti Lavra welcomes visitors and provides hospitality. The journey from Daphne (the main port of Mount Athos) takes about 4-5 hours on foot or by vehicle. Communication with the monastery's Secretariat is necessary beforehand.