Chrysoskalitissa Monastery

CHRYSOSKALITISSA MONASTERY

Chrysoskalitissa Orthodox Monastery was built in the 17th century on the southwest coast of the island of Crete.

It is located 68.7 km southwest of Chania. 36.8 km south of Kissamos. From the beautiful pink sand lagoon of the Elafonissi, just 5.4 km away.

GPS is very important! – because no street names in Western Crete.

[swpm_protected format_protected_msg=”1″]GPS: 35.310796, 23.533480[/swpm_protected]

The monastery has survived in very good condition.

Before reaching the 90 stair-step, we can visit [swpm_protected format_protected_msg=”1″] the monastery museum.

The objects on present in the museum, from the 18th – 19th century: icons, church clothes, books, documents, and tools used for church ceremonies.

Next to the stairs is a section, where we can get a little insight into the life of the monks.[/swpm_protected]

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[swpm_protected format_protected_msg=”1″] In this section we can see a weaving machine, and the tools used to make the yarns. We can see fabrics and rugs.

The next little room is, like a kitchen. Here we can see porcelain dishes in an old cupboard.

In the third small room, there are tools for church ceremonies.[/swpm_protected]

Continuing the stairs, we reach the square in front of the church. From here is wonderful view of the mountains and of the Libyan Sea.

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– the archaeological excavations have shown, that on the coast, next to the monastery was a small fishing village, in the Middle Minoan era

– it was built on 35-meter rocks, reminiscent of a fortress

– the monastery was dedicated to the Holy Trinity, and the Dormition of Virgin Mary (the Assumption of the Virgin Mary)

– the walls of the monastery provided shelter for Greek school children during the Ottoman occupation

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– the construction of the present church began on May 9, 1894

– the central building of the monastery, the church: where we can see a lot of beautiful icons especially from the 19th century

– the carved furniture and chairs are unique in the church

– in the building to the right of the church are the rooms of the monks – this section is not open to the public!

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The name of the monastery means Our Lady Gold-stepped in Greek.

[swpm_protected format_protected_msg=”1″] According to local tradition: the 90 stair-step, leading to the main building of the monastery, were made of gold. According to tradition: it can only be seen by those who truly believe in God.

According to another variant: the golden stair-step was sold, by the Patriarchate, during the Turkish era. This was to solve the economic problems of the monastery.

According to the third version: the taxes levied by the Turkish sultan were paid, from the sale of the golden stair-step.[/swpm_protected]

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The legend also says:

[swpm_protected format_protected_msg=”1″] On Easter 1824, at the behest of Pasha Ibrahim, the Ottomans massacred Christians at Elafonissi. Turkish soldiers then went to the monastery with intent to rob. At the entrance, they were attacked by a swarm of bees, which saved the looting of the monastery. [/swpm_protected]