The Xenofontos and Dochiariou monasteries from the 900s and the Simonopetra monastery from the 1300s were damaged in the earthquake, according to the Greek Ministry of Culture on Wednesday.
The monasteries on the holy mountain Athos, which constitute a semi-autonomous "monk republic", suffered structural and aesthetic damage. Among other things, large cracks appeared in the Xenofontos domes and wall paintings that were damaged in previous earthquakes were further destroyed.
A group of Greek archaeologists and conservators are now on site to properly investigate the damage, according to the Ministry of Culture.
The earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.3, occurred on Saturday in the sea off the peninsula of Halkidiki.
The semi-autonomous state of Athos is under Greece. There are around 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries where only monks are allowed to live. Women are not allowed to visit the site, which was included on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1988.
