Holy Monastery of Agios Panteleimon in Vlasti
Set amid the impressive landscapes of Mount Mouriki, just 7 km from Vlasti, the Holy Monastery of Agios Panteleimon is one of the oldest monasteries in Macedonia, with origins that date back to around 1500 AD. Although the monastery was rebuilt in its current form in 2005, it continues to sustain an active monastic community, preserving a spiritual tradition that has endured for centuries. It is especially worth visiting on the feast day of Agios Panteleimon, when a major trade fair takes place and unique local customs come to life. Each year, horse riders from Vlasti and the surrounding villages make their way up to the monastery on horseback to attend the Divine Liturgy. After the service, they descend along the paths of Mount Mouriki, returning to the village in a festive procession that culminates in a warm welcome in the village square. There, music fills the air as children and adults alike take turns riding the horses through the cobbled streets of Vlasti—an authentic celebration of faith and local tradition.
