Mount Athos in Greece is one of the holiest sites in Orthodox Christianity. Set on a peninsula in the Aegean Sea, it's home to 20 monasteries. The priceless artifacts found within these ancient sanctuaries and the unique way of life followed by the monks who call the sacred mount home have earned the destination UNESCO World Heritage Site status. But no women are allowed to visit Mount Athos. In fact, women are prohibited from coming within earshot of the coast. Furthermore, this ban has been in place for centuries.
Why is this so, and how does Mount Athos maintain its male-only policy? Click through the following gallery and read more about the history and mystery surrounding this reclusive monastic community.