It’s the first in the hierarchy and the largest in the covered area amongst the 20 monasteries of Mount Athos. Megisti (Great) Lavra is located on the southeast end of the peninsula of Athos and 20 minutes on foot from the coastline, while the car driving distance from the capital of Athos, Karyes, is approximately 1,5 hours.
The monastery was founded in 963 AD by St Athanasius the Athonite, who was a hermit in a cave of the region. The project was funded by the emperor Nikiforos Fokas, who was always in favor of monasteries and keen on the ascetic life. The walls were built first, then the main church (Katholikon) of the Monastery and finally the cells of the monks.
It is worth mentioning that the main church of Great (Megisti) Lavra became the norm for other main churches in Mount Athos and introduced a certain type of architecture, where there are two smaller churches next to the main church.
A pilgrim or a visitor of the monastery can see the paintings of Theophanis in the main church (Katholiko) and in the dining area (Trapeza). Here is also situated the Tomb of St Athanasius the Athonite.
In the monastery there are approximately 320 monks living permanently and a small number of guests can be accommodated after they contact directly the monastery.