Complete List of Damage from Recent Mount Athos Earthquakes Released

Following a series of earthquakes on Mount Athos in recent months, engineering teams from the Technical Chamber of Greece/Central Macedonia Regional Department and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki have documented damage to nearly all monasteries and hermitages. The damage includes cracks in domes, dome drums, arches, and walls, as well as collapsed chimneys, with the most serious damage observed in the monasteries of Vatopedi, Iver, Hillendar, St. Dionysius, Zograf, and Simonopetra.

Approximately 3,000 to 4,000 buildings will undergo detailed pre-seismic control. Experts highlight that although the damage is significant, there is no risk of collapse due to the traditional anti-seismic techniques applied for centuries. Initial fortification efforts have commenced, and the government has announced additional funding for restoring and protecting Mount Athos’s cultural heritage.

This information was shared at a special scientific conference organized by the Technical Chamber of Greece, with assistance from the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the Organization for Anti-Seismic Planning and Protection, and the Center for the Preservation of the Heritage of Mount Athos. “The most affected monasteries are close to the epicenter, with temples that have domes and vaults being the most vulnerable. The damage is expected, and we know how to restore it,” said Ilia Pertsinidis, chairman of the board of directors of the Technical Chamber. He reassured that funding has been secured for the upcoming restoration project. Regarding the ongoing seismic activity, he added: “It is unusual that the phenomenon is not calming down, but seismologists predict no stronger tremors.”

Detailed inspection results for damaged buildings are as follows:

1. Great Lavra Monastery: Cracks in the masonry plaster in the archondarika.
   St. Eustathius Cell – Mylopotamos: Cracks in masonry plaster in the temple.

2. Vatopedi Monastery: Falling chimney parts and cracks in the old St. Andrew’s temple and office corridors.
   St. Demetrius Skete: Cracks and falling masonry plaster.

3. Iver Monastery: Worsening old static issues in the outer narthex and main temple narthex; corridor masonry cracks.
   Konak in Kareia: Serious temple damage (dome, arches, pendants, columns); slight interior wall damage; potential widening of old masonry cracks.

4. Hilendar Monastery: Severe chimney damage; slight damage to the main temple and monastery wing walls.
   Cell “St. Tryphon”: Serious temple damage (cracks in dome, drum, arches, columns).
   Cell “St. Paisios”: Similar serious temple damage.

5. St. Dionysios Monastery: Light to moderate refectory and main temple damage; severe chimney and northern facade wooden veranda damage.
   Temple “St. Artemios” – Monoxylite: Serious temple damage (cracks in dome, drum, arches, columns).

6. Kutlumush Monastery: Worsening old static issues in the main temple’s western part; severe damage to two upper-floor chapels (cracks in dome, drum, arches).
   Cell “St. John the Baptist”: Masonry plaster cracks and falling chimneys.

7. Pantokrator Monastery: Chimney damage; tower masonry cracks.
   Cell “Assumption of the Virgin”: Extensive stone wall cracks, mainly eastern part; immediate geotechnical and static investigation advised.
   Skete “St. Prophet Elijah”: Temple and complex plaster cracks.

8. Xiropotam Monastery: Main temple and building plaster cracks.

9. Zograf Monastery: Severe chimney damage.
   Cemetery temple: Serious temple damage (dome, drum, arches, columns).
   St. George’s Cell: Widespread complex damage (temple, auxiliary buildings, surrounding area).

10. Dohiar Monastery: Cracks in arches, vaults, and masonry.

11. Simonopetra Monastery: Arches and vaults cracks, damage above doors and between openings; chimney damage, masonry cracks; stone roof damage.
    St. George’s Cell – Kalata – Kareia: Plaster cracks and falling chimneys.

12. St. Paul’s Monastery: Severe chimney damage; possible minor main temple damage.
    The Fast in the Zarkadi area: Southeast corner collapse; masonry cracks.

13. Stavronikita Monastery: Plaster cracks and falling chimney.

14. Xenophon Monastery: Dome drum cracks; peeling plaster; old cracks worsening.

15. Grigoriou Monastery, Karea: Moderate temple damage (dome, arch), slight plaster damage.
    St. Philotheus Cell – Karea: Severe northeast corner damage.

16. Esphigmen Monastery, Karea: Plaster cracks.
    Old monastery – Karea: Chimney