Megisti Lavra Monastery

Greece / Ayion Oros / Kariai /
 monastery, orthodox christianity, pilgrimage, UNESCO World Heritage Site, 10th century construction
Great Lavra is the oldest and largest monastery on Mount Athos in Greece. The Lavra occupies first place in the history and hierarchy of the monasteries of Athos, and its founder was the most honoured figure among the monks of the Holy Mountain - St Athanasius the Athonite. It was St Athanasius who introduced into what up till then had been a monasticism of cave-dwelling hermits the coenobitic system, which was afterwards to become the monastic way of life par excellence.
www.mountathos.gr/active.aspx?mode=en
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Lavra_(Athos)
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   40°10'15"N   24°22'58"E