Mount Athos reopens doors to pilgrims, visitors
The world-famous monastic community of Mount Athos in northern Greece is reopening its doors to pilgrims and visitors after a months-long lockdown, according to an announcement on Tuesday.
The Foreign Ministry, which has political jurisdiction over the self-governed territory on a promontory of the Halkidiki peninsula, said visitors would be allowed back in only on strict conditions.
These include submitting to a test at the port of entry to the monastic community, restrictions on the number of visitors and guests allowed in per day and a ban on the movement of pilgrims between monasteries without proper authorization.
Mount Athos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a famous pilgrimage site and a popular religious tourism destination, though women are forbidden from entering.
