AGIOS DIONYSIOS MONASTERY OF OLYMPUS

Located in the Enipeas Gorge, at an altitude of 850 m, this monastery (Ιερά Μονή Αγίου Διονυσίου του εν Ολύμπω/Iera Moni Agiou Dionysiou tou en Olympo) is a popular stopover for hikers... men! Still forbidden to women and children, according to the same avaton rule as on Mount Athos, it was founded in 1542 on the site of the hermitage of the Greek monk and saint Denys of Olympus (c. 1500-1541). His aim was to "Christianize" Mount Olympus, which he felt was still too closely associated with the polytheism of antiquity. Burnt down several times, most recently in 1943 by German occupiers, the complex still preserves impressive ruins of buildings from different periods. Still undergoing restoration, it is home to some twenty monks who offer hospitality to Orthodox pilgrims (room and board are available to ordinary visitors on prior request). There's the tomb of St. Denys of Olympus, relics of other saints, a church built in 1999, a sacred grotto (nearby), icons from the ^15th to the ^19th century and an ecclesiastical museum. Women are permitted in the chapel outside the grounds. Accessible by car, the monastery is located along the section of the E4 trail between Litochoro and the Spilios-Agapitos refuge (17.5 km). On this route, shortly after the monastery, you'll find the Enipeas waterfalls with a 38 m high drop (1 km), followed by the Prionia refuge and restaurant (3.3 km).