The first hotel with a massage salon opened on Mount Athos
Such an initiative caused a wave of negative backlash.
In November 2024, the first hotel with a massage salon, an ultra-modern restaurant, and an AB Vasilopoulos supermarket opened in the capital of Mount Athos, Dafni, according to the tilegrafimanews.gr website.
The hotel was established in the former cell of Saint Nicholas (Samaradiko), which belongs to the Great Lavra Monastery – the first monastery built on the Holy Mountain. Construction of the new building began in 2020 and was completed in 2023, with the facility entering service a few weeks ago.
"The new hotel under the 'SAMARADIKO' brand, with a stay costing 40 euros per night, offers an affordable accommodation option for visitors to Athos. Additional services, such as massages, are not included in the price, though they are well-reviewed as providing full rejuvenation," the publication notes.
It is reported that this initiative sparked a wave of negative reaction, with some expressing concerns over the integration of modern commercial and tourist infrastructure in a place of deep tradition and religious significance. However, according to tilegrafimanews.gr, people often visit these new facilities, "proving that tourism and commercial development can be combined with respect for the traditions and unique nature of Mount Athos."
As reported by the UOJ, the most powerful earthquake in two months occurred on Mount Athos on Sunday.
