The Station of a Faith: Art and Man on the Holy Mountain

Fresh out of Oxford at the height of the Roaring Twenties, the young Englishman Robert Byron was already making waves as a bold young travel writer with a keen eye for art and a sharp wit when, in 1927, he embarked on a journey to the isolated monastic community of Mount Athos. With the world around him rapidly changing, this timeless Holy Mountain, a place steeped in centuries of tradition, called to him ＂like a star to the wise men.＂

The Station chronicles Byron’s explorations of this unique peninsula, where twenty monasteries cling to the rugged slopes above the Aegean Sea and time seems to stand still. He delves into the intricacies of Eastern Orthodox monastic life, with its elaborate rituals, exquisite Byzantine art, and complex political history. Byron recounts his journey and reflections with verve and erudition, and he never shies away from offering bold opinions, whether in debating theology with monks, critiquing architectural styles, or contemplating the decline of the Byzantine Empire.

Byron’s book is a pioneering travelogue that would set the bar for literary travel writing for every twentieth-century writer working in his wake. It is a vibrant and insightful portrait of a world rarely seen by outsiders. Byron’s irreverent humor and intellectual curiosity illuminate every page, making this a captivating read for anyone interested in history, religion, or art generally, the Byzantine world in particular, or above all, the enduring fascination of cultured travel in the analog era.

Our new edition features an introduction by our editorial team, clean and modern modern typesetting, and a conveniently accessible paperback format suitable for both library shelves and travelers’ carry-on luggage.