Chrysoskalitissa Monastery description and photos - Greece: Crete (Topic)

Chrysoskalitissa Monastery description and photos - Greece: Crete. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The name in English is Chrysoskalitissa Monastery.

Photo and description

Among the many Orthodox shrines of the Greek island of Crete, the monastery of Chrysoskalitissa undoubtedly deserves special attention. It is located on the southwestern coast of the island, about 72 km from the city of Chania, on top of a picturesque rocky hill with breathtaking panoramic views of the Libyan Sea, and is considered one of the most interesting and popular local attractions.

Translated from Greek, the word "chrysoskalitissa" means "golden staircase". The name is rather unusual and, as always in such cases, a beautiful legend is attached to it about how an icon depicting the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared on the top of the rock, how it was taken down, how it was planned to build a monastery at the foot of the rock, but each time the icon miraculously returned to its original place, as it was decided to build a temple on the top, and that for this it was necessary to carve 98 steps in the rock, the last of which turned out to be golden. This is how the monastery got its name. True, it is worth noting that according to legend, only a sinless person can see this golden step.

The exact date of the foundation of the monastery is unknown, but it is generally believed that it was built during the Venetian rule in Crete. During the occupation of the island by the Turks, the monks were forced to leave the monastery, and it was empty for a long time. In 1855, large-scale restoration work began, which was fully completed by 1894, when a new temple was built on the site of the old Catholicon, consecrated in honor of the Virgin Mary and the Holy Trinity on August 15, 1894.

In 1900 the monastery was closed and reopened only in 1940. During World War II, German soldiers settled in the monastery, expelling its inhabitants, who were able to return only when the invaders left the island.

We also recommend reading Ancient Kition description and photos - Cyprus: Larnaca

Topic: Chrysoskalitissa Monastery description and photos - Greece: Crete.