The Holy Mount Athos, Alphonse Mucha (1926)
For Orthodox Christians, Athos has unique importance as one of their spiritual centres. According to legend, it is where the Mother of God is buried, who took refuge there in the times when the Apostles
were persecuted. In memory of her, there is a law which says that no women may enter the whole peninsula, and neither is it allowed for any female animals to live there. It was ordained by Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX in 1045.
Discover more Old Masters in the following collections: