Mt Athos is a monastic community open to visitors. Also a major wine producer. The scenery, the castles (20) and the churches are impressive.

http://www.culture.gr/2/21/maps/macedon/ag_oros/00/s_agio.gif

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011401.jpg?size=67&uid={179e723c-222f-4f45-bdbd-e0633aadebe1}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011398.jpg?size=67&uid={a8fb8399-8d91-46f5-b779-ebb0a796dbb9}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011395.jpg?size=67&uid={495cba34-27bb-4ee0-977c-0b723933567d}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011394.jpg?size=67&uid={9685baf9-cbf3-4228-8e4d-c6d88223d3d7}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011357.jpg?size=67&uid={b613de99-b949-463e-ab81-0af048f37045}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA015659.jpg?size=67&uid={97bcbc3f-9410-4608-ac11-4a9a9c8aa032}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011385.jpg?size=67&uid={b86bedce-6dcb-48eb-9980-e3ea89c7e049}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011438.jpg?size=67&uid={283e9ca0-927c-41db-9fbc-1383d3a545fe}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011432.jpg?size=67&uid={9b564806-d143-4ebf-9e4b-57f8c77a2e39}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/HE001242.jpg?size=67&uid={f6d1849a-7fb8-4798-b6d3-6ffc11c4e6ee}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/RW006330.jpg?size=67&uid={c267d6b7-af5d-4ca1-9c9b-abe19becc1f4}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011408.jpg?size=67&uid={68fd2f88-ead1-4bc6-90d5-d93f6fe81c65}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011407.jpg?size=67&uid={4ee695a6-243e-430f-9d8e-2a03b010e1e4}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011406.jpg?size=67&uid={9a87c288-5191-4000-8de0-35fe788886db}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011405.jpg?size=67&uid={1f7dabfd-d462-4189-8e1a-ab1a67759c83}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011402.jpg?size=67&uid={484c31a2-a061-4a2e-b0c8-8333c9ddd8cd}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011392.jpg?size=67&uid={9179da42-967c-4a5a-b0d6-2571e96fbdb4}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011369.jpg?size=67&uid={be0b7df9-cb81-4ba2-80c7-1d0995032efe}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011363.jpg?size=67&uid={2096b58e-165a-4b83-afd2-e37dafc88e97}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011360.jpg?size=67&uid={45c5943a-632c-492b-a7ee-e9f549df81f5}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/RW006336.jpg?size=67&uid={108cd672-c7de-45a6-abc0-8ac592cfec9f}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011355.jpg?size=67&uid={abae4240-825f-4604-898c-de7cb54372e5}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011423.jpg?size=67&uid={efbf199b-bf2f-4115-84dd-64ef25d1df74}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011429.jpg?size=67&uid={5e9ae9a3-6134-4f45-b909-ffb772f7ed14}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011380.jpg?size=67&uid={6f1e946e-6313-409b-8ba0-0ed6baca562d}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/CS010724.jpg?size=67&uid={4bdc92ab-6e61-4316-9b94-dc26bd447923}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011376.jpg?size=67&uid={7243fa50-b06f-4654-a9c3-a3b2da77aa5b}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011372.jpg?size=67&uid={7ff3602d-505d-4326-98bc-e7db3a9187ad}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA011437.jpg?size=67&uid={f56d44bb-b2c5-4962-b5ea-a88af44acb12}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/HE001241.jpg?size=67&uid={d6468fbf-85d3-4a46-81b7-824eaf1e3e9a}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/CY001447.jpg?size=67&uid={c5cb059f-9f7a-457d-9158-ee6c142ef759}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/HE001246.jpg?size=67&uid={8c2465a4-9ea5-42f5-acef-2978ac211d94}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/HE001247.jpg?size=67&uid={3d080059-6b09-4bda-b6bb-13f3eab860a2}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/HE001280.jpg?size=67&uid={4e25416c-9aa7-497e-8828-1d9dc2effe7e}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/HE001279.jpg?size=67&uid={0ea44a7d-dfd8-4733-bfd9-2366898026fb}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/HE001253.jpg?size=67&uid={545bc6af-266f-426d-833b-811006774964}

http://www.allaboutgreekwine.com/images/wineries_photos/athos01.jpg http://www.allaboutgreekwine.com/images/wineries_photos/athos02.jpg
http://www.allaboutgreekwine.com/images/wineries_photos/olympus01.jpg http://www.allaboutgreekwine.com/images/wineries_photos/athos03.jpg

In the red varieties of Mount Athos – Xinomavro, Limnio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache Rouge and Merlot – we experience enticing aromas, vivid colour, high alcoholic degree and body. Cabernet Sauvignon achieves a deep colour and good sugar concentration. The long ripening time and low yields produce tremendous flavours in the fruit, balanced with vibrant acidity.

so beautiful :uh:, the paintings "frescos" are amazing, the mt is a independent state or not?

No it is a part of Greece and not independant.

Great pics Zafiris.

Arpels it is a self-governed, under the supervision of the State, which shall also be exclusively responsible for safeguarding public order and security. EU has accepted its special character.

THE CONSTITUTION OF GREECE for the holy mountain
http://www.macedonian-heritage.gr/Athos/General/constitution.html

Also Athos has its own borders, which can not be crossed without permission.

Arpels it is a self-governed, under the supervision of the State, which shall also be exclusively responsible for safeguarding public order and security. EU has accepted its special character.

THE CONSTITUTION OF GREECE for the holy mountain
http://www.macedonian-heritage.gr/Athos/General/constitution.html
i see :cool: thaks!!