Archaeological Sites

The Monastery of Zygou is located southeast of the settlement of Ouranoupoli, in close proximity to the current boundaries of Mount Athos. It is one of the oldest and largest monasteries of Athos, which was deserted and gradually fell into ruins in the 12th century. The first test pit excavation was carried out in 1993. Since then, excavation work has continued with the parallel implementation of restoration and flood-relief projects as well as overall maintenance works.

In 958, Athanasius the Athonite, founder of the Monastery of Megisti Lavra, visited the area of “Zygos” where he spent the first years of his ascetic life under the mentorship of an elder of the region. The earliest clear reference to the existence of Zygou Monastery is made in 996. The monastery flourished in the 11th century, but in 1199 it had already been deserted and bestowed to the then reestablished Chilandar monastery as a metochion by emperor Alexios III Angelos.
In 1206, after the dissolution of the Byzantine Empire by the Latins (1204), a Frankish archon with his soldiers settled in the Monastery and set out to plunder Mount Athos, until he was ousted from the region with the intervention of the Pope of Rome around 1211. For this reason, the ruins of the Monastery are hitherto known as “Fragokastro”. 

In the second half of the 15th century it was transferred to Vatopedi monastery, expropriated by the Greek state in 1924 and granted to refugees from Propontis who settled in the region.

The walls of the Monastery precinct are fortified with 11 towers and enclose an area of 5.5 acres. The building complex consists of the old western core, which was doubled in size with an extension to the east. The katholikon was part of the extension and was built in the first half of the 11th century. The main church with the narthex was initially built; the north chapel with the ktetoric tomb was then added, followed by the exonarthex and the south chapel with the ktetoric tomb as well. Tombs were constructed at different points around the katholikon.

The walls of the church are preserved at a height of 2-4 meters. Its interior was frescoed. Parts of the representation of the Annunciation, ornate crosses, fragments of frescoes of the Baptism and the Holy Forty Martyrs were preserved in the exonarthex. In the conch of the prothesis of the southern chapel, a fresco was revealed with a full-body, frontal representation of a hierarch, probably that of St. Nicholas.

The floor of the northern chapel is preserved in excellent condition and it is decorated with one of the best Athonite marble inlays of the first half of the 11th century. The marble floor of the narthex, work of the second half of the same century, also of excellent quality, is preserved in fragments. Substrates and fragments of marble inlay were preserved throughout almost the entire remaining area.

The wings, that is, the monastic dormitories, are developed along the south, north and west sides of the precinct. The “magipio” (bakery) was discovered in the south wing of the monastery, the lenos (wine press) in the north wing, and the smithy a little further to the north. All these workshops indicate the self-sufficiency and self-reliance of the monastic community. During the 16th – 17th century, when the katholikon was partially in ruins, an oil mill complex was installed in the narthex and a second one at an already dilapidated annex of the Refectory, which was located west of the katholikon on the upper floor of a building.

An abundance of finds from the daily life of the monks and the activities of the Monastery were revealed in the excavations. The most characteristic are lead seals, book clasps, a silver-gilt medal with an engraved representation of Saint Friday, an encolpion with an archangel representation, glass tesserae from a wall mosaic, knives, gold, silver and copper coins of the 11th and 12th centuries, glazed pottery and glass vessels of the same period.

The Zygou Monastery is an interesting archaeological site, which enables visitors, men and women, to understand the organization of the Athonite monasteries without the restrictions of access (avaton).

Olga Iasonidou

Conservation and restoration works

From 2002 to 2008, the project was included in the “Culture” Operational Programme of the 3rd Community Support Framework entitled “Promotion – Enhancement of Zygou Monastery”. In this context, large-scale excavations, restoration and conservation works were carried out. In the first phase, the adjacent stream was diverted with the improvement of the banks. The construction of a retaining wall for flood protection along the south side of the monastery followed. In addition, consolidation and partial restoration of the katholikon, the wings, the fortified enclosure and the towers was carried out.

The marble iconostasis of the katholikon and part of the marble decoration were restored, and at the same time, maintenance, consolidation and restoration work was carried out on marble inlays and frescoes. A glass floor was installed to preserve and call attention to the marble inlay flooring of the katholikon. The necessary guest facilities were created (post of entry, wc, etc.). Lastly, a visitor pathway inside the archaeological site was organized with the installation of a metal ramp and information signs.

 Olga Iasonidou

 Stelios Galanis