The Monastery of Megisti Lavra is the largest in extent area Monastery and the first in the hierarchy of Athos monasteries.
This monastery formerly had other names like, "Lavra of Melanon", "Lavra of Cyru Athanasius", "Lavra of St. Athanasius", "Megali Lavra" or simply "Lavra". The location of the Abbey is idyllic, as it is "placed" on a rock plateau just northern from the southeastern tip of Athos peninsula. By car, the distance from Karyes is a half an hour away and if you are lovers of hiking, you will need to travel a distance of about seven hours, while from the coast is about 20 minutes, where the coastal building complex of the monastery is.

The route is quite interesting but the road is rough, gravel-paved with sharp turns and narrow. Over the road were crossing rivers and over rivers a small bus.
Under adverse weather conditions, especially when the weather is rainy, the crossing becomes prohibitive and for this reason at the entrance of the monastery was constructed a helipad for emergencies.

The monastery is very large, with the so-called "zematistres" above its entrances, from which the monks threw hot oil to avoid the pirates, and has architecture that reminiscent a castle. Outside there are vegetable crops, the cemetery and high on the mountain is the hermitage of St. Athanasius.

The monastery was founded more probably on the location where the Pelasgian ancient city Akrothosi was, by St. Athanasius the Athonite in 963 AD.

Entering from the main gate, to the left of the formed dome, is a mural of Virgin Mary. Someone heathen shot it with three bullets (the traces of which are still shown). One of them ricocheted and hit him in the heart. In the courtyard there is the chapel (one of the 37) of Our Lady of Koukouzeliotissa, where is the miraculous image. It took its name from St. John the Koukouzelis, who was famous for his chant skill as a chanter in the palace. But, desiring the monastic life, he left secretly and came to Megisti Lavra by another name, so not to be found by the Emperor and he pretended to be illiterate and ignorant.
He assumed, this educated, the official, the much honored, the deaconship of the shepherd. But the emperor who had his people to search for him, he discovered him.

He admired his humility and didn’t force him to return to Istanbul. So, he remained in the monastery, where he became a cantor.
According to one tradition, a day as he was chanting in front of the picture, he felt tired and drowsy. Then, the image of Our Lady spoke and said: "Courage, continue and I will reward you." And She gave him a gold coin.