Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0194-7399
Abstract
in the natural environment. The natural environment, of which humans are an integral part, served as the first laboratory for the production of medicines. Medicinal botany can be traced back to ancient Greece, continued through ancient Rome, was closely linked to Islamic tradition, and persisted through the rise of Christianity in monasteries, enduring to the present day. Monastic botanical gardens serve as living proof of the relationship between humans, nature, healing, and spirituality. These gardens, which for centuries cultivated plants for medicinal, nutritional, and functional uses, can now be leveraged to promote tourism, cultural heritage, and environmental awareness.
This study examines how monasteries and monastic botanical gardens can be integrated into a broader framework of experiential and thematic tourism, appealing to visitors seeking authentic experiences that combine nature, tradition, and spiritual exploration. Following a qualitative research design, the paper employs a multiple case study analysis across three Greek locations, Mount Athos, the Monastery of Chrysopigi, and the Monastery of Mikrokastro. Data were collected through on-site observation, literature review, and analysis of monastic digital archives and distribution networks.
The findings indicate that monastic gardens function as ‘living heritage’ and repositories of biodiversity and traditional ecological knowledge. Their successful integration into tourism depends on the preservation of authenticity and the creation of thematic routes that link spiritual heritage with local production.
The study highlights significant socio-economic benefits, including the revitalisation of monastic and local economies, job creation, and the self-financing of monument maintenance through the sale of authentic monastic products. The findings offer a practical framework for heritage managers and tourism policymakers to develop sustainable local economies aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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Recommended Citation
Moira, Polyxeni G. Dr and Mylonopoulos, Dimitrios
(2026)
"Monastic Botanical Gardens: Medicinal Plants, Cultural Heritage, and Tourist Routes,"
International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage:
Vol. 14:
Iss.
2, Article 9.
doi:https://doi.org/10.21427/ac2k-8472
Available at:
https://arrow.tudublin.ie/ijrtp/vol14/iss2/9
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21427/ac2k-8472