Greece allocates €5.3 million for restoration of Mount Athos monasteries

Mount Athos. Photo: open sources

The authorities of Central Macedonia have allocated €5.3 million from EU funds to restore infrastructure and architectural monuments in seven monasteries on the Holy Mountain of Athos. This was reported by the UOJ in Greece.

Governor Athina Aidona signed seven decisions funding works at the monasteries of Karakallou, Koutloumousiou, Xenophontos, Great Lavra, Simonopetra, and St. Paul, as well as at the Skete of St. Anne. The money, provided through the EU’s ESPA program, will go toward restoring 16th–18th-century sites, many of which are in a state of disrepair.

At Karakallou Monastery, the katholikon and a 16th-century tower will be restored, while the western section of buildings at Koutloumousiou will be repaired. At Simonopetra, the old olive press will be converted into an exhibition hall with icon-painting workshops, and special facilities for elderly care will be created at St. Paul’s Monastery. At Great Lavra, plans are in place to save the Cell of the Dormition of the Theotokos, which has stood empty since the 1980s, from complete collapse.

According to the governor, the aim of the projects is to make the monastic buildings safe and functional for monks and pilgrims while preserving the unique architectural heritage of Mount Athos.

As the UOJ reported, the number of pilgrims to Mount Athos rose by one-third over the past year.

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