It is said that the world is big, there are no wonders, and the travel fungus has introduced a lot of the world's "unique" to everyone, but today I want to talk about this place, which is even more "wonderful"!
Because since 1060, it has banned any women from entering the country, so it is known as "the only man country in the world"!
Seeing this, you must be speechless, in this era when equality between men and women has become the main theme, there is still such a "feudal" place?
Where is this controversial place? It's Mount Athos in Greece.
The world's only "man's country"
Before introducing Mount Athos, I would like to give you a popular science:
Mount Athos does not refer to just one mountain, its full name is "Autonomous Monastery State of Mount Athos".
The Autonomous Monastery State of Mount Athos is both the only autonomous monastic state in Greece and the only region in the world where the monks are self-governing. (hereinafter referred to as Mount Athos)
Although it is a small area, it has a lot of origins.
It is like an arm, reaching out to the blue waters of the Aegean Sea.
The small peninsula covers an area of only 360 square kilometres, and the majestic and towering Mount Athos dominates the southeastern part of the peninsula, with a summit of 2,033 meters above sea level.
The mountains and rivers here are beautiful and very quiet.
There is a myth and legend about this peninsula:
Once upon a time, there lived a strong man named Athos on this peninsula, and he had a fierce struggle with Poseidon, the god of the sea, and finally Athos used all his strength to press the mountain on Poseidon's body.
In honor of the séance hero, people call the mountain by his name.
For thousands of years, Mount Athos has been inhabited by special inhabitants - monks and hermits, so everyone also calls this mountain "Holy Mountain".
It is the only monastery in the world where the monks are self-governing, so it is directly subordinate to the Orthodox monastery.
These monks practiced asceticism and refused to allow women to go to the island, believing that the presence of women might distract the monks.
As a result, all the people living on the island are male......
Some people say: Is it really that strict?
Yes!
In addition to the fact that women are not allowed to enter the island, even items related to women are not allowed to appear.
Photos, Books, Magazines....... These are considered contraband.
If it is discovered, there will be corresponding penalties.
Except for hens.
Because they need to eat eggs for nutrition......
Because it is harsh, it is mysterious.
This also makes many people have a "rebellious mentality": if you don't let me go, I want to go......
So there are many people who have dressed up as men and want to come here to see.
It's a pity that they were all persuaded to come back.
How hard is it to get to Mount Athos?
First of all, on the pier of the island, you can see these big words:
The Holy Mountain Special District, women are not allowed to enter.
It doesn't matter if you're a queen princess or an ordinary woman, without exception.
There are even boats in which women pass through the island and have to travel more than 500 metres above the island.
Seeing this, you may want to ask:
That's not if a man can just enter.
Of course not!
It's a little easier for men to get in here than women, but it's also hard to say.
First of all, you will need to go to Carrière with a letter of introduction from the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs to exchange for an entry permit.
Having an entry pass doesn't mean you can get in, as only 20 foreign men are allowed to visit the island every day!
The number of people is strictly controlled, and there will never be one more person going in.
For example, if you are the 21st person and crawled from the North Pole, it may be accommodating to another place, but you can't even cry here!
After you have the qualification to go to the island, it does not mean that you can enter it, because you also have to go through a series of "security checks".
Next you will meet many armed policemen.
They will check you for contraband, and some will be asked to take off your clothes.
Because, as mentioned earlier, there are people who pretend to be "males" in order to enter the island.
Despite this, many people still come here every year.
Because people who have been to the island say that it is worth it!
"A place of double world heritage"
Don't underestimate Mount Athos, which has been inscribed on the World Heritage List as a dual heritage (cultural and natural) by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
What is Mount Athos?
On its steep slopes there are twenty majestic monasteries, which combine their unique architectural forms with natural beauty to create a veritable masterpiece of nature and man-made.
These monasteries are where these monks work, Xi, and live every day.
Meis and Fras are the two oldest monasteries built in the 10th century AD.
Some are in the caves of the cliffs, and the only passage is two iron chains suspended at a height of 30 meters.
The entrance to the cave is dark and eerie, but inside it is spacious.
There are also monasteries hidden in shady valleys. The peninsula is beautifully dotted with a large lawn with colorful halls and towers of different styles.
Each monastery has a hidden back door that leads to the jungle or the sea.
Most of the courtyards have a tower in the center to monitor the surrounding activities and to alert the police in the event of an invasion.
Monasteries on the island
Looking at the great monastery on the hill from afar, it is as majestic as a castle in ancient times.
The onion-shaped Russian Orthodox monastery has 35 chapels and solemn walls covered with frescoes and icons.
Between the main building and the chapel is a 16-ton bell that is said to be able to strike 32 sounds, but passers-by are not allowed to ring the bell at will.
Monasteries on the island
The Greek monastery next door preserves 18th-century frescoes and more than 5,000 ancient books, of which more than 400 are extremely precious drafts and manuscripts, fully demonstrating the long history of Greece and the ingenuity of the masters.
Monasteries on the island
Although Mount Athos was "closed", the influence of these monastic designs reached as far as many countries, and its schools of painting even influenced the history of Orthodox art.
Monasteries on the island
"The scenery is beautiful, the years are quiet"
Another thing people love about Mount Athos is that it's so beautiful!
It's located in the northern part of the Aegean Sea, so the sunrise and sunset here are a must.
When the sun shines on the surface of the Aegean Sea, it sparkles like pearls set in blue gemstones.
When the wind is calm, listening to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore on the shore seems to be able to hear stories from ancient Greek mythology.
Walking along the coastline, the unique sea blue and the mountains in the distance are even more intoxicating.
Moreover, everyone who has been to Mount Athos says that he is purified.
This place is like Tao Yuanming's "paradise".
The island still maintains its most primitive way of life and work, there are no modern tools, no Internet TV, no games, and the monks here repeat the same three things every day, year after year:
8 hours of prayer, 8 hours of labor, 8 hours of rest.
Aren't they boring?
How can it be boring!
For them, material satisfaction is temporary, while spiritual abundance is eternal.
They do not pursue gorgeous clothes and expensive jewelry, but pay more attention to inner cultivation.
Their hearts are like a vast ocean, and no matter how things change in the world, they can maintain a calm heart.
They will not be overjoyed or sad because of momentary gains and losses, because they understand that the real gains and losses are often not external, but inner experiences and feelings.
How do they live?
How do the people on the island live?
Don't worry, although the living conditions here are relatively simple, there are shops and inns run by monks on the island, and free accommodation is provided, and the food is of course vegetarian, but visitors are usually required to make appropriate gifts.
Each temple houses sacred paintings, holy objects, Bibles, famous carvings, statues, ancient manuscripts, gold, silver and jewelry, and other precious cultural relics, which are respectfully displayed by the monks whenever tourists come to worship.
By the way, it is also rich in the famous Greek "Holy Mountain Wine", which is rich and mellow and very delicious.
Because there are so many people who want to see Mount Athos, tourist centers in the cities of northern Greece organize excursions to the holy mountain, but instead of entering the mountain, they take a peek at the boundary between the peninsula and the mountain, or go around the mountain by yacht 500 meters away......
Compared to the bright lights of the city, it is really "boring".
But this "purity" is also what many people want to pursue nowadays.
Nowadays, many people are running around day and night in order to make a living, and they may have to deal with the "intrigues" at work, and they are physically and mentally exhausted.
In fact, Mount Athos is the "utopia" in some people's hearts, and there are no endless phone calls, endless emails, and endless text messages...... Only life in its purest form.
Mount Athos is difficult to reach, but there is more than "Mount Athos" in the world, as long as you can relax and relax.
is still the saying "life is your own", sometimes you need to give yourself a vacation, so that you can better devote yourself to work and life.