OURANOUPOLIS - MOUNT ATHOS FAQ'S
Ouranoupolis is a village in Greece. It is near Mount Athos and is mostly used as a jumping off point for there, or a place for women to stay, since they are not allowed in the monasteries.
Ouranoupolis is located on the southwestern coast of Halkidiki. It is a seaside village, known for its tourism and the fishing. From here, starts also the boat to Daphne which is the port of Mount Athos. The village is beautiful with plenty of highly rated hotels and traditional family resorts as well as fantastic beaches, which stand out for the golden sand and the tranquil turquoise waters.
Right across Ouranoupoli, you will see the exotic islands Ammouliani and Drenia.
The closest large city is Thessaloniki. The visitor usually starts from there. The city is located around 80-miles to the north-west of the Mount Athos point of entry. It has an international airport with many connections to European cities. The city itself is the second largest city in Greece next to Athens.
Ouranoupolis can be reached by bus, car or taxi from Thessaloniki. To get by bus, you have to get to Chalkidiki Bus Station, located south of Thessaloniki. To get to this bus station you can take bus 45A from the commuter bus station adjacent to Thessaloniki Train Station: Chalkidiki Bus Station is the final stop. Schedule information can be found at www.ktel-chalkidikis.gr.
Mount Athos or Agion Oros, as it is locally known, is the oldest surviving monastic community in the world. It dates back more than a thousand years, to Byzantine times. It is a unique monastic republic, which, although part of Greece, it is governed by its own local administration.
Athos occupies the best part of the Athos peninsula in Halkidiki. It consists of a range which runs south-east for thirty miles from Xerxes` Canal, where Xerxes the Persian King cut a canal across the peninsula for his ships to pass. It is a rugged, sea-battered peninsula 35 miles long. One mile wide at the canal, it broadens to five. The imposing marble summit of Athos itself is 6,689-ft. high with grey-white crystalline limestone. Its snow-capped peak is usually crowned by white clouds, an awesome sight to see.
Athos is 30 miles long and 6.5 miles wide at its broadest point, has a mountainous spine thickly wooded on the north and culminating in the marble peak of Athos (6,670 feet), which rises abruptly from the sea at the southern tip.
How can I visit Athos?Visiting Athos is not a simple procedure. Only men are allowed to visit Mount Athos, according to the Protocol of the monastic state. A few days before their visit, visitors have to phone Mount Athos offices at Thessaloniki in order to make their booking and receive a code number. This code number is necessary because the number of visitors is limited to 120 men per day.
Visitors can go by road (by private car or by bus) from Thessaloniki to Ierissos, Nea Roda or Ouranoupolis. The distance is around 87 miles. These towns cater for tourists which means that there are all kinds of shops, hotels and parking spaces for cars. (In Mount Athos the only cars allowed are the cars of the monasteries and the workers that offer their services there). For this reason, the visitors must leave their cars in the city.
The visitors, before their visit to Mount Athos will have to take their `Diamonitirio` (permit to reside) from the offices of Mount Athos, at Ouranoupolis (on the right side of the port). The visitors will have to be there, at least one hour before departure, around 8:45 am. In order to get `Diamonitirio` visitors must show their identity cards and pay a certain amount in euro.
Location & Hours: The Pilgrims` Bureau office is conveniently located just off the main bus road into Ouranoupolis, a few short blocks before the ferry boat dock, on a side street leading down toward the beach. The bus from Thessaloniki stops there for all pilgrims to disembark. It is open from 7:30 am to 1:00 pm.
Note: While in the Pilgrims` Bureau office, be sure to look around and pick up information that is provided for you there, including the `Useful Information` sheet, the rules regarding photography on the Holy Mountain, and occasional special announcements on such subjects as closure of monasteries for renovations.
Foreign visitors also need:
-A Letter of recommendation from their embassy in Athens or their consulate in Thessaloniki.
-A Permit of entry to Agion Oros from the Greek Foreign Ministry in Athens (Administration Division of Church Affairs) or from the Ministry of Northern Greece in Thessaloniki (Administration of Foreign Affairs).
-Passport.
On the `Diamonitirio` are written the identity elements of the visitor, his code number, the date and the number of days (duration of stay). This duration is usually four days, though in case the visitor wishes to stay longer, he can ask for an extension from the Holy Supervision at Karyes.
The only way to enter Mount Athos is by sea. From Thessaloniki one must travel the 80-miles by car, taxi or bus. Most visitors embark on one of the vessels leaving from the port of Ouranoupolis on the south side of the peninsula on the gulf of Siggitikos also known as gulf of Agion Oros. If the weather permits there is also a possibility to enter the Mount Athos peninsula from the small port of Ierissos on the northern side, on Strymonian gulf.
The boats from Ouranoupolis take the visitors to Daphni, the main port in the middle of the peninsula. On the way, they also make intermediate stops on monasteries along the coast. From Daphni one can catch a bus to Karies, the administrative center of the monastic society and from there other buses to any of the monasteries. Or, from Daphni one can travel even further south up until Karoulia, at the foot of the mountain, by corresponding boats. Alternatively, from the north side the boat stops to all the monasteries on the sea, until the monastery Megistis Lavras, if the weather is kind.
Generally speaking the transportation to and from Ouranoupolis is rather easy going. However the bus routes in Mount Athos are not so easy to arrange and the schedules are very flexible. It is advisable to have our assistance as a local contact to make sure that the visiting plan can be followed.
Ouranoupolis is the usual point of departure for Athos and literally the end of the. From the municipal dock by the Tower Museum, the unmistakable Byzantine-era tower in Ouranoupolis, a large ferry boat departs daily at 9:45 am, calling at Daphni (the main port of Mount Athos) and a number of monasteries on the way. There is also an earlier departure at 6.00 am which goes direct to Daphni, and in summer there are other options including `express` boats departing at various times. Tickets should be reserved in advance.
Ferry Boat Reservations by Telephone: (From USA) 011 30 23 770 21041
The 9:45 am boat reaches Daphni, the main port of Athos, at around midday. On the way, it calls at the ruin of Jovantsa (location of the road to Chilandar), the landing stages (Greek: arsanas) of Zographou and Konstamonitou, and at Dochiariou, Xenophontos, and St Panteleimonos. Visitors may disembark at any of these points. The ferry boat connects with a smaller boat (karavi) that leaves Daphni at 12:45 pm for points beyond Daphni along the southwest coast, terminating at Kafsokalyvia at about 2:00 pm. Current timetables for boats are usually available upon request in the monasteries.
For women and for those who will not have the opportunity to visit the Monastic Community in person, they can enjoy a relaxed cruise around the Athos Mountain, admiring the breathtaking view and the unique Byzantine architecture of the monasteries.
Daily boat cruises are depart from Ouranoupoli offering also a tour guide, giving you the chance to get familiar with the life of the monks and the history of the Holy Mountain. The cruise tours generally last about 3 hours.
The visit to Mt Athos (Agion Oros) must be planned well in advance. The place is holy ground dedicated to prayer, meditation and self awareness. Worshipers and visitors are welcome but their numbers are controlled so that the disruption of the tranquility will be kept to the minimum. The dogmatic orientation is of the Greek-Orthodox faith. Thus, each day 100 people of this faith are allowed in and only 15 of other beliefs. The entry procedure is monitored by the issuance of the respective permit, called `diamonitirion`. Because of the small number of non-orthodox permits issued, one must make plans the earliest possible so that they can have the opportunity to find an availability for the dates he wants.
Spring and Fall are the most difficult times of the year to find empty spots. The contact and the reservation must be made through the office of the Holy Committee.
Once in Mt. Athos, you can travel around using the local buses, although arranging one by yourself can be a challenge. The schedules practically do not exist. One must contact a driver and prearrange for the pickup and drop off and of course for the price.
Monks use different types of cars according to their needs and there are local buses from Dafni to Karyes and also local taxis. There are minivans that seat 10-12 people and can bring visitors to all the destinations. The cost is often high.
The hospitality at the monasteries is provided free of charge. Bed and board are offered to the holders of the permit. However as people rediscover the unique beauty of Mt. Athos and the resources of the monasteries are not without limits, it is usually advisable to have notified the monk in charge of the visitors (archontaris) so that he makes a note of your arrival and a bed is kept for you.
In addition to reserving a travel date with the Mount Athos Pilgrim`s Bureau, most of the monasteries now require an advance reservation if you wish to stay there over night. The first question you will hear at most monasteries, when you register, is `May I see your reservation?` There has been at least one documented case of a pilgrim arriving at a full monastery without reservation, who had no choice except to sleep outside the monastery. E-mail has now replaced telephones and fax as the best way to make your reservation.
The best time of year to visit all depends on what type of holiday you`re looking for. September is Halkidiki`s low season. If small-to-nonexistent crowds at the beaches and restaurants are what you prefer, then September, near the end of tourist season, would be the best time to visit. If you are looking for more excitement, a party atmosphere, and warmer temperatures then July and August is when you want to go. Keep in mind that Halkidiki kind of shuts down at the end of tourist season; exact dates vary by property and establishment. Definitely check ahead.
Mount Athos: Compared with southern Greece, winter on Athos is long, wet, and often cold. Snow is by no means a rare occurrence, even at low levels; and stormy seas often confine boats to the harbor. As a result there are few visitors at this time. For those who are not bothered by climatic uncertainty and who want to have the Mountain to themselves, winter can be a good time to go. Several monasteries have now installed central heating and others use wood-burning stoves.
High summer by contrast (mid-June to mid-September) can be very hot and is also the time that attracts the greatest numbers of (mostly Greek) visitors. This means that long-distance walking can be uncomfortable and guest facilities at many monasteries are overstretched. Even in summer thunderstorms can cause rough seas on the northeast side of the peninsula with cancellation of the boat schedule on that side. Of those who can choose, many will prefer to plan their visit either in spring (mid-April to mid-June), when the temperature is more pleasant for walking and the wild flowers are at their best, or in fall (mid-September to late October), when the selection of fruit and vegetables on offer may be more appealing.
Although the monks of Mt. Athos do not eat meat, they do consume quite a lot of fish. Fruit is always part of the dinner menu. The Athonite monks cultivate apple, pear, quince, cherry and fig trees.
Their main foods include vegetables such as turnips or salad, dark breads, porridges, an occasional fish, cheese curds, beer, ale, or mead. Fish is typically to increase its longevity. As a rule, monks did not eat meat except if they were ill and on special occasions.
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Provided that you stay at the monasteries, you will eat meals and dineners with the monks in the monastery`s.
In order to eat at the monasteries, you must be attentive to eating schedules. These normally take place after their services, that is, after Vespers in the afternoon (at around 6:00 pm) or after Divine Liturgy in the morning (at around 7:00 am). Still, these times are not exact, so you should ask at each monastery for the timetable, and if you arrive after eating times, you may ask the archontaris (guestmaster) for food.
The food is good, freshly grown and healthy, and the monks here are trained specialists at cooking. Furthermore, eating takes place with a monk reading aloud lives of the saints or extracts from the Bible, so even if you don't understand the language, it will be an enjoyable experience.
On fasting days, only water will be served (Mondays and Fridays).
Today, over 2,000 monks from Greece and many other countries, including Eastern Orthodox countries such as Romania, Moldova, Georgia, Bulgaria, Serbia and Russia, live an ascetic life in Athos, isolated from the rest of the world.
Can I pay/tip in US dollars?The currency of Greece is the Euro. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for euros upon arrival. Currency exchange desks and ATMs can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city.
I don`t speak Greek. Will many people speak English?English is widely spoken throughout Halkidiki. Visitors can easily get by without knowing any Greek. However, we still suggest you get a good guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, excuse me and numbers 1-10.
What are the popular items to buy in Ouranoupolis - Mount Athos?`Souvenirs` are mostly of religious nature. The popular items you`ll find at the shops in the area are prayer ropes (known as komboskini in Greek), books about lives of the Saints, Frankincense oil, walking sticks engraved with Mount Athos emblem, and wine produced at Athos` vineyards.
What are rules that I need to know if visiting the monks in Mount Athos?
Mount Athos is where monks go to escape the modern world, and as you`re visiting as a guest, you have to respect their rules and behave as they expect you to. In general terms, monks expect pilgrims to visit them, and not tourists. When possible, try to keep a religious attitude, even if you are not Orthodox, and avoid inquiring the monks with questions that may seem too `worldly` for their concerns. The monks consider themselves to be living in a place without time, so when inquiring about chronological dates (e.g. the foundation date of the monastery) do so in a tactful way which avoids making you look touristy.
Conventions of behavior vary somewhat from monastery to monastery, so when in doubt, ask the master of the guesthouse, the archontaris. In general:
-Do not hold your hands behind your back as if on a sight-seeing tour, hold them in front of you in a sign of reverence.
-Avoid engaging in activities which may be disrupting for the monks, like bathing in the sea or listening to loud music.
-Photography of monasteries is allowed, but photography of monks or inside churches is generally prohibited without explicit permission. In some monasteries photography is banned in the whole monastery territory. On feast days, the presence of huge crowds result in many people taking photographs even inside the church, and in these cases the ban is not enforced. However, avoid taking photographs with flash or in a manner which may be annoying to the monks.
-Video filming is prohibited in all Mount Athos, however this is rarely enforced for low-quality video being made by point-and-shoot cameras. However, if you are filming with professional equipment, you will raise many suspicions that you are producing a sneak documentary about the Mountain!
-Dress respectfully: no shorts. Shirts and T-shirts with short sleeves are often allowed, although not in all monasteries. Dressing in white shoes may also be considered disrespectful.
-While visitors are usually welcome at services, there may be space constraints in the summer high season, and non-Orthodox may be restricted to certain outer parts of the church (e.g. the exonarthex) or expected not to attend at all. Even if allowed in the services, non-Orthodox should abstain from partaking from the Holy Mysteries (Communion) or taking the antidoron (unconsecrated bread) at the end of the service, and should inquire before venerating relics if they are allowed to do so.
As with other EU states, the emergency telephone number in Greece is 112. Calls are answered in Greek, English and French. Below are other local numbers that can be used in case of emergencies:
Emergency numbers in Greece:
Police 100
Fire department 199
Ambulance 166
Tourist Police 1571