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All Greece Agion Oros Hermitages of Karoulia

Hermitages of Karoulia

The hermits of Karoulia protect their asocial lifestyles by living on the vertical face of a treacherous precipice.

Agion Oros, Greece

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Stathis Karatzas
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About

Karoulia, the harshest part of Mount Athos on its southwestern tip, is home to no more than 10 hermits living in small huts and caves on the vertical faces of huge rocks rising from a rough sea.

Access to the “horrible” Karoulia, as it is frequently called, is very difficult, and climbing skills are required in many cases. The hermits live on very little food and drink rainwater collected in rock cavities. Some of them leave baskets hanging from their hermitages to the sea, where passing monks, pilgrims, and fishermen leave simple food, usually dried bread and olives. The pulleys they use to raise the baskets have given the area its name (karoulia is the Greek word for pulleys).

The hermits spend most of the day and night praying, have very little sleep, and support themselves by painting holy icons or making simple handicrafts which they exchange for supplies.

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Intriguing Environs Cultures And Civilizations Eccentric Homes Monasteries Monks Ecosystems Homes

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Added By

stkaratzas

Edited By

cptnxanarchy, Michelle Cassidy

  • cptnxanarchy
  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

June 25, 2013

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Sources
  • https://www.macedonian-heritage.gr/Athos/Hesychasterion/Karoulia.html
  • https://mountathos-eshop.com/en/mount-athos-true-guardian-greek-orthodoxy/mount-athos-sketes/karoulia/
  • https://asceticexperience.com/portfolio/the-frightening-karoulia/
Hermitages of Karoulia
Agion Oros, 630 87
Greece
40.158889, 24.328333

Nearby Places

Mount Athos

Agion Oros, Greece

miles away

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Thasos, Greece

miles away

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Lemnos, Greece

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Agion Oros

Agion Oros

Greece

Places 2

Nearby Places

Mount Athos

Agion Oros, Greece

miles away

Aliki Ancient Marble Quarry

Thasos, Greece

miles away

Lemnos Sand Dunes

Lemnos, Greece

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Agion Oros

Agion Oros

Greece

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