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Home , Frangokastello, Simonopetra, Stavronikita, Thessaloniki

174 Managing the heritage of Mt Athos

Thymio Papayannis1

Introduction Cypriot monastic communities (Tachi- aios, 2006). Yet all the monks on Mt The spiritual, cultural and natural herit- Athos are recognised as citizens of age of Mt Athos dates back to the end residing in a self-governed part of the first millennium AD, through ten of the country (Kadas, 2002). centuries of uninterrupted monastic life, and is still vibrant in the beginning of Already in 885 Emperor Basil I de- the third millennium. The twenty Chris- clared Mt Athos as ‘…a place of monks, tian Orthodox sacred that where no laymen nor farmers nor cat- share the Athonite peninsula – in tle-breeders were allowed to settle’. Halkidiki to the East of Thessaloniki – During the Byzantine Period a number are quite diverse. Established during of great monasteries were established the Byzantine times, and inspired by in the area. The time of prosperity for the monastic traditions of Eastern Chris- the monasteries continued even in the tianity, they have developed through the early period. However, ages in parallel paths and even have the heavy taxation gradually inflicted different ethnic backgrounds with on them led to an economic crisis dur- Greek, Russian, Serbian, Bulgarian and

1 The views included in this paper are of its au- thor and do not represent necessarily those of < The approach to the Stavronikita Monastery. the Holy Community of Mt Athos.

175 Cape Arapis younger and well-educated monks (Si- deropoulos, 2000) whose number has Chilandariou been doubled during the past forty Es gmenou Cape Agios Theodori years. It is up to them to continue the Vatopediou spiritual traditions of the area during Pantokratoros Zografou the third millennium. Konstamonitou Dovhiariou Koutloumousion Xenofondos Philotheo Agiou Panteleimonos Dafni Xiropotamou Karakalou The heritage of Mt Athos Simonos Petras Megistis Osiou Grigoriou Lavra Dionysiou Mt Athos It is important to note that the heritage Agiou Pavlou Cape Timiou Prodros Cape Pines of Mt Athos is multiple and integrated, and that it is incorporated in a living millennial tradition (Smyrnakis, 1903). ing the sixteenth and seventeenth cen- In parallel, this tradition is maintained turies and made them abandon the while the monastic communities of coenobitic and embrace the idiorrhyth- Athos adapt contemporary techniques mic system (where monks come to- to their needs. Thus, state-of-the-art gether but are able to own things indi- methods are being used in restoring vidually and not being obliged to work and protecting priceless and an- for the common good). Despite their cient manuscripts, while the monks impoverished situation during the use mobile telephony and the internet eighteenth century, Mt Athos took a to communicate, although their use is leading role in the Greek enlighten- in principle restricted. ment, founding the Athonite Academy near (Theodorou The spiritual heritage of the area origi- and Dana, 2003). During the Greek nates from the Byzantine Orthodox tra- War of Independence in the early nine- dition with the Ecumenical Patriarch of teenth century, the Holy be- still maintaining the came a shelter for the suffering Greek spiritual leadership of Athos (Pa- population, and was plundered by the pachrysanthou, 1992). The strong reli- Ottomans. After the end of the war, gious faith of the monks and their devo- many Slavonic countries in an attempt tion to ascetic life dedicated to prayer to increase their influence in the area is an inspiration for the Christian Ortho- donated large sums of money to re- dox faithful, which is estimated now to build old monasteries and the numbers 200-250 million people distributed in of the monks increased. The world many countries (McGuckin, 2011). wars and the civil war that followed di- Part of this spiritual tradition is the ava- minished their numbers considerately. ton, which forbids the entrance of wom- Near the end of the twentieth century, en and children, as well as female ani- Mt Athos experienced a mals to Mt Athos. Since its official es- re-vitalisation through an increase of tablishment in 969 AD by Ioannis Tsi-

176 miskis, the area has been dedicated to mate types provides a habitat for a large the Virgin Mary and has been known as number of plant and animal species, in- Her ‘little garden’. Thus, no other wom- cluding quite a few endemic to the re- an has ever been allowed to enter. gion (Kakouros, 2006). The absence of grazing in the entire peninsula has al- The cultural heritage consists of a lowed the existence of a dense forest, of unique architecture, which melds deciduous and coniferous and maquis many different styles from various ep- vegetation (Dafis et al., 1996). ochs and countries, perfectly in har- mony with each other and very well in- That is why Mt Athos has been recog- tegrated in the rich natural environ- nised by UNESCO as a Mixed World ment of the Athonite Peninsula. It is Heritage property for both nature and complemented by invaluable collec- culture in September 1988. The entire tions of artefacts, frescoes and icons, area has been included in the Natura manuscripts and old editions, objects 2000 network of pro- of religious art and other precious gifts tected areas, both for its habitats and from devout leaders and pilgrims. Most birds. Both of these designations have of these are now properly maintained, been proposed unilaterally by the although fires and insensitive restora- Greek State, without the participation tions have caused occasionally seri- and the agreement of the monastic ous damage (Papayannis, 2007). communities and have been approved by the World Heritage Committee and The natural heritage is also unique due the European Commission. The Holy to a rapid succession of diverse climatic Community of Mt Athos has accepted conditions and ecosystems from Medi- these designations ipso facto, but only terranean along the coasts to alpine at within the historic and legal framework the tip of Mt Athos, which exceeds 2000 of the Athonite Peninsula. m (Ganiatsas, 2003). The variety of cli-

The inner courtyard of the Vatopedi Monastery.

177 Management responsibilities clearly presented in the following ex- cerpt from a letter sent to UNESCO in The requirements of the two protection October 2010: regimes under UNESCO and the - pean Union have created occasional ‘Naturally, the monks of Mount friction between government services Athos are themselves the unremu- and the Mt Athos authorities, who feel nerated custodians, protectors, and strongly that they have the full respon- preservers of the peninsula’s natu- sibilities for the management of the ral and cultural treasures. They are, Athonite Peninsula. This is based on in addition, the bearers and practi- the long tradition of the area, and has tioners of a spirituality that is both been recognised by the Decree traditional and contemporary; they 10/16.09.1926 on the ratification of ‘the are the ones who live in and shape Constitutional Charter of Mt Athos’, as the institutions and established or- well as by article 105, paragraphs 1–3, ders. The Athonite administrative of the Greek Constitution. It is also rec- authorities (the Holy Community ognised by the 1981 Treaty of adhe- and the Twenty Holy Monasteries), sion of Greece in the European Union, manage their own affairs and strug- which recognises Mt Athos as part of a gle to maintain their institutions and European Union member state, but traditions. From their own funds, but with certain special considerations. occasionally with state and private grants, they care for the various In accordance with the existing legal monuments, and, either through framework, Mt Athos is governed by the services that they organize, or that Holy Community, which consists of rep- they entrust to outside collabora- resentatives of the 20 monasteries in tors, they oversee various studies the area. Each monastery has jurisdic- and restoration projects, plans for tion for the management of their proper- the management of the environ- ty, certain general matters, however, are ment, and, with the cooperation decided at the level of the Holy Com- and approval of the appropriate munity, such as opening of roads, or government services, they see that entry of automobiles for the transport of these projects are carried out.’ goods and people. For major matters, the Holy Community meets with 20 Ab- The relations of Greece with UNESCO bots also participating (Elissaios, 2007). for all World Heritage Convention mat- ters have been ensured through the The State is represented by a Gover- Ministry of Culture and the Permanent nor – appointed by the Ministry of For- Delegation of Greece to UNESCO. Of- eign Affairs – who is responsible for ten the Holy Community has been ig- security matters and the implementa- nored, while the Ministry of the Envi- tion of Greek laws. ronment (responsible for nature pro- In this context, the diachronic views of tection) has shown little involvement. the Holy Community of Mt Athos are This has been strongly protested by

178 the Athos authorities who have at- Thus, decision WHC-06/30.COM/7B of tempted to communicate directly with the Committee meeting in in- the World Heritage Committee with cludes the following: mixed results. It should be noted that ‘The highest priority for improve- in spite of recommendations from the ment of conservation of the World World Heritage Committee, the Minis- Heritage property is the prepara- try of Culture and the Holy Community tion, approval and implementation have been submitting separate reports of an integrated and multi-discipli- on the conditions of the Mt Athos site nary management plan for the en- (Holy Community, 2008). However, re- tire area of Mt. Athos, which should cently there has been progress to- cover the following issues: wards a better understanding and col- laboration on all sides. • Evaluation of the current situa- tion, taking into account the co- Thus, in November 2010, at the invita- existence of nature and spiritual- tion of UNESCO and the Government of ity/culture in Mt. Athos since the , the Holy Community partici- end of the first millennium, and pated formally in a workshop on the role the legitimate needs of the Mo- of religious communities in the manage- nastic Brotherhoods; ment of World Heritage Sites with reli- • Circulation and transportation gious meaning. In January 2011, the network of Mt. Athos; Ministry of invited the • Integrated management of the Coordinator of the Athos Study to par- natural environment; ticipate in a workshop on the manage- • Sustainable management of the ment of the Greek World Heritage prop- forests; erties. Finally, on 2–5 June 2011, Fran­ • Protection of the property within a cesco Bandarín, Assistant Director- cultural landscape perspective; General of UNESCO was the first World • Resolution of the problem of solid Heritage official to visit Mt Athos at the and liquid wastes; invitation of the Holy Community. • Improving management of risks, especially of fires and earth- The integrated management quakes, as well as eventual im- pacts from climate change; study • The importance of developing a Objectives consistent approach to conserva- tion decision-making from mon- It should be clear that the integrated astery to monastery.’ management study for the Mt Athos spiritual, cultural and natural heritage However, the monastic authorities of Mt has been requested by the World Her- Athos have accepted willingly this rec- itage Committee, after a fact-finding ommendation as they believed it would mission in 2006 (UNESCO, 2006). contribute to the effective conservation

179 of the Athonite heritage and would also and productive activities, especially for strengthen their claims for responsible the cultivations and forestry, energy management, with full respect to the production and infrastructure net- national legislation and the acquis com- works. Future needs will be analysed munautaire. They also recognise that and proposals for the future distribu- the spiritual, cultural and natural herit- tion of land use will be developed. age of the area is inextricably interrelat- Transport and communication for ac- ed and this necessitates its integrated cess to Mt Athos and within its bound- and systematic management. aries will have to be reconsidered, so Structure that it serves efficiently the daily needs of the monastic communities and the The Mt Athos study will, therefore, ad- visitors. It should also be economical dress a variety of issues, among which in energy and reduces pollution and are the following. noise, while maintaining a peaceful mi- It would start with an honest and ob- lieu, which is an imperative require- jective assessment of contemporary ment for worship and ascetic life. conditions in the Athonite Peninsula on A major productive activity, forestry in all heritage aspects. These would in- Mt Athos has been practiced in tradi- clude not only positive development, tional ways. However, in recent times but also threats to heritage and prob- social and financial developments in lems to be faced. It would also identify Greece have rendered some of these the human and financial resources practices obsolete and have encour- available for the eventual needs of ef- aged more aggressive exploitation tech- fective management. niques. It is necessary, therefore, to A key issue would be the study of ex- re-evaluate forestry practices within isting land use for worship, habitation, the framework of sustainability (Dafis,

Restored wing of the Monastery.

180 1992), and to promote the certification both monks and pilgrims through cen- of wood products from the forests of Mt turies. Remedial measures need to be Athos. As an example, Kakouros (2009) carefully designed to restore the land- reports that the implementation of selec- scapes affected (Papayannis, 2008). tive inversion thinning reduces the risk Extensive work has already been done of wildfires and promotes species diver- on the restoration of historic buildings sity. Furthermore, a monitoring system and facilities and their immediate envi- allows a more sufficient ecological and ronment in nearly all of the 20 monas- economical assessment of this method. teries (Pennington, 1978). Most of it The high biodiversity of Mt Athos (its flo- has been based on sound restoration ra includes 1453 taxa and its fauna 131 practices, with few exceptions. A more bird species, 37 mammals, 14 reptiles systematic approach is now neces- and 8 species of amphibians) (Dafis, sary, so that further restoration work 1992), is characterised also by an im- will be based on scientific research portant degree of endemism (22 taxa and documentation and is carried out endemic to Greece, 14 local endemics at the highest international levels of and six to the Balkan Peninsula).The quality; an approach that should take rich biodiversity must be identified, in- seriously into consideration the living ventoried and conserved through ap- conditions in buildings permanently in- propriate science-based methods and habited by the monastic communities. measures, also in accordance with Eu- This is merited by the uniqueness of ropean Union requirements and espe- the Mt Athos architectural heritage. cially the Birds and Habitats Directives. A system of monitoring key biodiversity A considerable part of the cultural her- indicators on a periodic basis must also itage of the area resides in the arte- be established and managed by the facts, icons and other objects of reli- Holy Community. gious arts, written or printed docu- ments, and the utilitarian objects from At the interface between nature and past epochs. Their careful mainte- culture are the majestic landscapes of nance and enhancement is well ad- Mt Athos, formed through the ages by vanced in Mt Athos and in quite a few natural processes and human endeav- monasteries state-of-the-art facilities ours in total harmony. In recent times, for protecting and exhibiting them however, some of these cultural land- have been constructed. However, a scapes have been blighted by insensi- systematic inventory and programme tive infrastructure works, especially of conservation is needed. road construction. Although vehicle traffic is very limited, the roads them- The management of liquid and solid selves have had negative impacts not wastes in Mt Athos does not present only on the sensitive landscapes of Mt major problems. It must be resolved, Athos, but also on the historic network however, in a decisive manner using a of pedestrian trails that have served combination of traditional knowledge

181 Integration of Monastery in the surrounding landscape. and modern technology. Preventive ganisation and training. For instance, measures to decrease packaging of in August 1990 a large wild fire de- imported products and the extensive stroyed some of the forested areas of use of recycling should be strongly Mt Athos and menaced the Simonope- encouraged. tra Monastery. Also, the Hilandar Mon- astery was partly burned by a building As to energy, Mt Athos is not linked to fire in 2004 and is undergoing restora- the power networks of the country, but tion. As Mt Athos is in a dangerous relies on its own production. Part of it is seismic zone, the threats from earth- renewable (hydroelectric and solar quakes must also be considered. In ­energy), but most of it is produced addition, climate change impacts will through thermal generators. For the fu- be felt on the availability of water, on ture, ecological practices should be changes in ecosystems and flora and promoted, primarily through systemat- fauna species and through sea level ic energy economy, including the intro- rise. They should be carefully moni- duction of passive measures in build- tored and adaptive measures taken ings. Production should be redirected when proven necessary. to renewable sources, taking into ac- Finally, the Athos Management Study count, however, the need to protect will address the related administrative cultural landscapes. issues, which concern mainly the ap- Being a depository of great heritage propriate organisation of the Holy wealth, Mt Athos must seriously face Community and its Committees in the need to manage risks. As proven managing effectively the Athonite Pen- by its history, forest and building fires insula. The process of approvals and are the main threats and they require implementation of the Management preventive measures, equipment, or- Study will also be included, as well as

182 the necessary arrangements for moni- tre, including its technical advisors toring developments and for corrective (IUCN, ICCROM and ICOMOS), as measures whenever needed. well as the European Commission, in relation to the Natura 2000 Network. Key aspects The advice of these international bodies The approach considered by the Holy would be highly valuable for the prepa- Community has certain key aspects, ration and implementation of the Athos which may be considered as highly in- Management Study. In turn, the experi- novative in view of the specific condi- ence gained through it – properly dis- tions of a highly sensitive area man- seminated – may be valuable for similar aged by monastic fraternities. sacred sites in other parts of the world. The fully integrated approach to spiritu- al, cultural and natural heritage is a key constituent, quite uncommon in Greece, Basic management principles where often the Ministries of Culture To allow the monastic community of Mt and Environment barely collaborate. It Athos to appreciate the challenges requires the establishment of a multi- posed and to reach a consensus, a disciplinary study team, which will ap- number of basic management princi- preciate not only the technical and sci- ples were proposed in the first phase entific parameters but also the spiritual of the Management Study. Once ap- dimensions that govern them in Mt proved, they will govern decisively the Athos. An increased understanding will preparation of the Management Study; also be required from the responsible against them, the Study proposals and monastic authorities, so that they can recommendations will be judged be- comprehend the study proposals and fore final approval. be able to implement them effectively. The primary principle and objective for In this important matter, the perception the Study is to contribute to a modest of the study, as an open learning and extent to the maintenance and educating process for both sides, strengthening of the millennial Chris- might facilitate the work and ensure its tian Orthodox monastic traditions of Mt success. Thus, consultation is planned Athos, and to encourage their evolu- on three levels. Firstly, and most criti- tion in a world in which the simplicity cal one, with the 20 monastic fraterni- and sobriety of the ascetic approach ties and the Holy Community. Second- to life gains new pertinence. ly, with national public services and authorities involved in Mt Athos, in- In turn, the architectural heritage of Mt cluding the Governor, the Ministries of Athos being unique in its historic de- Culture and Environment and the Cen- velopment, diversity and wealth, and tre for the Protection of the Athonite its integration into the natural environ- Heritage. Thirdly, with UNESCO and its ment, must be respectfully restored World Heritage Convention and Cen- and sensitively adapted to the needs

183 of the monastic fraternities that inhabit The afore-mentioned principle is relat- it. This is complemented by a dense ed to the careful management of pil- system of footpaths and trails, whose grims and visitors, and it aims at continuity has been partially blocked reaching a balance between the tradi- and needs to be re-established. tion of hospitality that governs Athos and the need of maintaining peace This should be complemented by the and quiet. Measures to control the flow maintenance and safekeeping of all of visitors have already been instituted the elements of cultural heritage in the and can be further improved. Athonite Peninsula, including incorpo- rated art work, imported gifts of a reli- In the same spirit, the technical infra- gious and secular character, and ob- structure must be planned in a highly jects that testify to a millennium of mo- effective and ecological manner, ac- nastic life, as well as the living intangi- cording to contemporary standards of ble heritage of oral traditions, liturgical performance, but also respecting mo- and psalms and relat- nastic considerations. ed practices, all imbued by a strong There are a few productive activities in religious dimension. In this context, the the Athonite Peninsula, with various conclusions of the 2003 ICCROM Fo- cultivations for self-consumption – rum on Conserving the Living Reli- mostly using organic agricultural prac- gious Heritage can be useful and es- tices – and a limited export of timber pecially their focus on integrity and au- and wine, while fishing by the monks thenticity (Stovel et al, eds., 2005). plays a marginal role. These, and any The protection of the natural environ- additional activities in the future, must ment is also an imperative considera- be carried out in a framework of sus- tion, as it is part of the early Byzantine tainability, so that they do not degrade tradition (Sinacos, 2003). This should the natural environment and will remain include the ecosystems (such as forest, feasible for future generations. coastal and marine, alpine), land- Similar sustainability principles must scapes and efforts to increase biodiver- be applied to all natural resources, sity and avoid the loss of species, and especially space, water and ener- which is already happening. Many spe- gy, as well as the treatment of waste. cies of the flora and fauna species of The environmental responsibility and the area are included the European the long-term care for the Athonite en- Red Data List (endangered, vulnerable vironment and the generations that will and rare) (Philippou and Kontos, 2009). inhabit it in the next centuries should be in harmony with the mentality of the A control of the terrestrial, marine and Athonite monastic fraternities (Papay- aerial boundaries of Mt Athos must be annis and Elissaios, 1994). maintained, in order to protect the mo- nastic character of the area and its fo- A final key consideration is the inten- cus on worship. tion to encourage and ensure the ac-

184 tive – and decisive – involvement of the ble driver, time schedule and indica- monastic community and other perma- tive cost for each. The major issue that nent inhabitants in every step of the needs to be considered here is the fi- management process, through a sys- nancing of all these actions, especially tem of consultation and collaboration in view of the dire state of the Greek with the Study Team and a voice in the national economy. This should be con- evaluation of options and approvals. sidered carefully by the Holy Commu- nity, which has the overall responsibil- ity for management implementation, Implementation and discussions on funding options should be held with the state authori- Through active participation, it is ex- ties and the European Union. pected that the Management Study will have good chances of being imple- It is clear that the integrated and sys- mented, once approved. Some other temic Management Study of the Athos choices will also contribute to the im- spiritual, cultural and natural heritage plementation. The Study Team will cul- is a critical step in the long history of tivate close collaboration with the sci- the area. The difficulty in preparing entific institutions, so that its proposals reasonable and balanced proposals are the result of a broad consultation. and obtaining agreement on them Similarly, it intends to initiate contacts should not be underestimated. On the with the appropriate public services other hand, if all goes well through the and take seriously into account their wise guidance of the Holy Community, views. The Study will include a de- the Study can play a significant role in tailed action plan of necessary meas- the maintenance and strengthening of ures, regulations and interventions, the traditions of this unique sacred providing a brief description, responsi- place.

Vegetable garden and outhouses of Simonopetra.

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