Hilandar Monastery stands amongst the lush greenery of Mt. Athos, Halkidiki’s Holy Mountain and the religious centre of the peninsula. It is one of the largest and grandest monasteries in Halkidiki, boasting a rich collection of Christian artefacts dating back almost a thousand years.

Its main church is made of completely pinkish-grey stones, with elongated windows and a rounded roof. Four domes, which look vaguely like seashells, cover the church’s towers. Many more buildings are contained in the monastery apart from the main church such as several minor chapels, a library with an impressive collection of Slavic and Greek manuscripts and modern-looking living quarters for the monks who still worship in the monastery today.

The church contains a rich array of religious artefacts and icons and among them, is the most notable Theotokos Tricherousa which depicts the Virgin Mary carrying an infant Jesus and is considered the guardian of the Serbs. Interestingly, Mary is not depicted as a Caucasian woman with flowing hair and Jesus is not a rosy-cheeked cherubic baby. Instead, they are distinctively Turkish: lean and dark-skinned, with loose, richly embroidered clothing.

Should you consider yourself a history buff or spiritual seeker, this is one place you definitely should not forgo!