Karyes is the capital of the Athonite monastic community since the historical beginning of the community of the Holy Mountain. Several historic sources refer to Karyes as "Mesi" (middle) because of the fact that it is located in the middle of the Athos peninsula, while others refer to Karyes as "Palea" (old).
It is the administrative seat of Mount Athos and this is the place where all abbots meet to discuss issues of the community. All monasteries have one representative in Karyes and they stay in separate dwellings called "konakia". Even though the monasteries are 20, the rooms are only 19 konakia since the monastery of Koutloumousion is very close and the representative stays in the monastery.
In Karyes the faithful can visit the church of Protato, which hosts the miraculous icon of "Aksion Esti". The church also includes important paintings of Saints made in 1541.
The village of Karyes houses the ecclesiastical high school of Athoniada, administrative buildings, a police station, a clinic, a post office, as well as shops for all travelers and monks.