Chrysoskalitissa monastery

The monastery Chrysoskalitissa is a monastery near Elafonisi beach, Chania. Located in the south west coast of the island (75 km away from Chania), it was built on a promontory overlooking the sea..

The monastery is dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin. According to tradition, the name Chrysoskalitissa comes from the fact that the 98 steps to the top of the monastery would be gold (Chrysoskalitissa in Greek means, golden step). But the staircase was sold to the Turks during the payment of taxes imposed by the Sultan. The legend also says at Easter 1824, after the massacre of Christians by the Ottomans of Ibrahim Pasha to Elafonissi, Turkish soldiers reportedly went to the monastery with intent to rob. At the entrance, they were attacked by a swarm of bees, which would have saved the monastery looting.

The monastery hosted illegally Greek school children during the Turkish occupation. The construction of the present church began May 9, 1894.