The monastery of Chrysoskalitissa, 73 km from Chania, was built during the Venetian period on the site of the old monastery of Agios Nikolaos. It is built on steep rocks overlooking the Libyan Sea. Tradition says that one of the 90 steps is gold but sinners cannot see it. It owes its name to this.
The icon of the Virgin located in the monastery is claimed to be over a thousand years old and celebrates August 15th. It has two aisles and is dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin and the Holy Trinity. During the German occupation it was used as a military outpost. A small settlement of Middle Minoan fishermen was found near the monastery on the beach.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou
