Mount Athos occupies the entire third peninsula of Halkidiki and is an autonomous and self-governing region of Greece.

Many hills and mountains rise along it, culminating in Mount Athos, which reaches a height of 2033 metres above sea level.

Today there are 20 monasteries and 14 sketes on Mount Athos.

They belong to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the sanctuary which prohibits women from entering has been in place for more than 1000 years.