The Balkans

Autochrome photographs of the Iviron Monastery on Mount Athos, Greece, taken in 1918 by Fernand Cuville.

The monastery was founded between 980 and 983 by two Georgian monks, John the Iberian and John Tornike. It is considered the historic Georgian monastery on Mount Athos and remained a center of Georgian Orthodox monastic life for nearly a thousand years, until the mid-20th century.

The monastery ranks third in the Athonite hierarchy of 20 sovereign monasteries. As of the 21st century, Iviron is mainly inhabited by Greek monks.

It is also home to the revered Panagia Portaitissa, one of the most significant icons in Eastern Orthodox tradition.

Traditional Balkan jewellery