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Chrisoskalitissa
GPS
35.311185538299, 23.533465862274
The monastery of Panagia Chrisoskalitissa is located 72 kilometers south of Chania, adjacent to the lovely Elafonissi.
It seems like an enormous fortress built on a 35-meter-high rock with endless sea vistas.
In Greek, the monastery’s name means “Our Lady Gold-stepped.” This is named for one of the 98 stairs, which is said to be gold.
Only those who truly believe in God are thought to be able to see it.
However, another account claims that the Patriarchate sold the golden stair to ease the monastery’s financial troubles during the Turkish Era.
Two aisles of the temple are dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the Holy Trinity.
The actual date of the monastery’s foundation is uncertain. During the Turkish period, the monastery of Saint Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos) was located near Chrisoskalitissa.
A tiny fishing town from the Middle Minoan period has been discovered on the shore near the monastery.