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The Great Lavra was the earliest of the monasteries built on the Athos Peninsula. It was built by St. Athanasius with the financial support of the emperors in Constantinople including Nikephorus Phocas, Romonos II, and Ioannis Tzimikes. St. Athanasius is considered to be the founder of athonite monasticism.
The monastery is built in the form of a small medieval town within a strong walled fortress with fifteen towers. There are 37 chapels associated with the Lavra. These are located both within and without the fortress walls. The central [[church]] within the Lavra, the [[Katholikon]], was among the first structures built starting in 963. It is a domed four-column church that was modified over time to a more [[cross|cruciform]] shape. The church was initially dedicated to the [[Annunciation]] of the Blessed [[Virgin Mary]], but was re-dedicated to St. Athanasius in the 15th century. His tomb is located in the [[chapel]] of the Forty Martyrs which is located next to the [[narthex]] of the Katholikon.
==Treasury==
