Harbor

Tired of London parties, a representative of the 'golden youth' and passionate art lover Robert Byron, accompanied by three friends, sets off to the Holy Mountain of Athos. Armed with camera equipment, the travelers visited almost all the monasteries of Athos, interacted with the monks, made sketches, and photographed frescoes in the churches and dining halls. The essay evolved into a vivid and concise narrative about two journeys to the Holy Mountain (in 1926 and 1927), where ancient history is wittily intertwined with modernity — in politics, arts, and morals, while delicate aestheticism and the friendly atmosphere of a male company coexist with the straightforward monastic lifestyle and poignant descriptions of nature. Through his ironic intellect, openness to other ways of life, art and food, and readiness to overcome the challenges of a non-touristic path and historical understanding, Byron creates a rich and vivid image of the unique monastic communities of the Great Lavra, Dionysiou, Zografou, and Chilandar. This text about a trip to the unshakable refuge of the Orthodox faith, troubled by historical events, characterizes the culture of travel in the interwar period.