Karyes has been the capital of Mount Athos, at least since the 10th century. Before, it was a location near the canal of Xerxes. This is confirmed by a seal of the emperor Leo VI the Wise, where he called that place Palaia. Its old name was Mesi, due to the fact that it is located in the middle of the peninsula. The representatives of 19 of the 20 monasteries in the buildings, called Konakias, also live in Karyes. At a distance of 5 minutes from Karyes is the Koutloumousiou Monastery, which does not have a shrine because it is too close. Also at a distance of 5 minutes is the hermitage of Agios Andreas. The central temple of Karia is the Protato, where the miraculous icon of Panagia Axion Esti is located. A remarkable church is also the so-called "Molyvokklesia", which is a chapel of the Dormition of the Virgin of the Kilandari cell. Also, there are the buildings of the Administration, the Police, the doctor's office, the post office, a bakery, shops with ecclesiastical goods and monks' cells. In Karyes, there are Ecclesiastical Gymnasium and Ecclesiastical Lyceum of the Athonia School.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou