The secret mountainous area of Europe where only men have lived for 1,000 years

is home to several autonomous regions that govern themselves while still benefiting from being part of a larger nation.

Examples include Catalonia in Spain, the Åland Islands in Finland, and in Italy. However, few are as unique or as shrouded in mystique as Mount Athos, an autonomous monastic state in Greece.

Nestled on a rugged peninsula in northern Greece, Mount Athos has been a center of Eastern Orthodox monasticism for over a millennium. Officially established as a monastic community in 1054, its spiritual significance dates back even further, with Christian monks inhabiting the area as early as the 4th century.

Despite its location in , Mount Athos operates as an autonomous monastic republic, with its own administration and laws. Access is strictly regulated—only male pilgrims and visitors are permitted entry, making it one of the most exclusive regions in Europe.

The site is often referred to as the “Garden of the Virgin Mary”, as it is believed that the Virgin Mary blessed the land, leading to its sacred status and the prohibition of female visitors, including most female animals (except for cats, which help control rodents).

Mount Athos spans over 33,000 hectares (127 square miles), with its steep slopes covered in dense chestnut forests and Mediterranean flora. Scattered throughout the landscape are 20 ancient monasteries, as well as smaller hermitages known as sketae, kellia, and kathismata, where monks live in solitude, following strict ascetic practices. Many monks engage in farming, manuscript preservation, and iconography—continuing traditions that date back centuries.

Access to Mount Athos is highly controlled, with only 100 Orthodox and 10 non-Orthodox male pilgrims allowed entry per day. Children are not allowed, and women have similarly been barred for more than 1,00 years. In fact, they cannot come within 500 metres of the site.

Meanwhile, visitors must obtain a special permit (diamonitirion) from the Mount Athos Pilgrims’ Bureau. The monasteries function almost entirely independently, self-sufficient in food production, craftsmanship, and spiritual study.

In 1988, , recognising not only its spiritual and cultural importance but also its vast collection of medieval manuscripts, religious relics, and Byzantine art. Many of these treasures, housed within monastery libraries and archives, have never been seen by the outside world.

Despite being part of Greece, Mount Athos operates under its own governance system. It is recognised as an autonomous monastic commonwealth, with its legal framework enshrined in the Greek Constitution. The Holy Community, composed of representatives from each monastery, oversees its administration, while a Civil Governor (appointed by the Greek government) manages external affairs.

Although technically part of the , Mount Athos holds a special exemption from EU laws, particularly regarding free movement and gender equality, which allows it to maintain its male-only policy. When Greece joined the European Economic Community in 1981, the monastic state’s unique status was explicitly protected within the accession agreements.

Today, Mount Athos is home to over 2,000 monks from Greece, , Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, and other countries. Life here remains deeply rooted in monastic tradition, with many monks spending their entire lives in seclusion, devoted to prayer, study, and manual labor.

While some monks live a simple life of contemplation, others specialise in preserving ancient texts and religious artifacts. The monasteries house one of the most extensive collections of Byzantine manuscripts and religious relics in the world, including sacred icons, liturgical vestments, and centuries-old religious texts.

Despite its isolation, Mount Athos has adapted to modern technology in limited ways. Some monks now use digital tools to catalog and restore historical manuscripts, ensuring that these priceless artifacts are preserved for future generations. However, strict controls remain in place regarding communication with the outside world, and only a select few are permitted to engage with external institutions.

Mount Athos remains one of Europe’s most enigmatic and untouched places, a spiritual retreat frozen in time. Its blend of Byzantine heritage, religious devotion, and monastic tradition makes it a truly unique entity in the modern world. While other autonomous regions in Europe balance self-governance with globalisation, Mount Athos remains firmly committed to its centuries-old way of life, ensuring that its sacred traditions continue undisturbed.