The monastery known as "Panagia Spiliotissa", is located in the middle of the road Kelefas - Kryoneri, towards the north and belongs to the jurisdiction of the Holy Sepulcher.
The monastery is built on top of a hill. A steep ravine opens to the northwest, separating Kelefa from the Homeric town of Oitylus (Voitylus).
To the southeast stretches the valley with the olive groves of the villages of Kelefa, Krioneri, Ano Kareas, Kato Kareas and Germas, while the monastery is surrounded by a wonderful landscape of wild nature and dense vegetation.
The history of the Monastery is difficult to ascertain today, as it suffered many destructions and lootings in the past.
According to traditions and legends, the monastery has a life of 400 years. Tradition states that the holy icon of the Virgin was once found in a cave, in the place where the church of Megalochari is built today. After finding the icon, monks and Christians of the area decided to build a Monastery.
The monastic complex is quite extensive. It has two churches. The one dedicated to the birthday of the Virgin, is celebrated on September 8 and is half built inside the cave, and from this chapel the monastery got its name.
To reach the church one descends one hundred and five steps carved into the rock.
The other, built in the precincts of the monastery, is dedicated to the forefathers Joachim and Anna and is celebrated the following day, September 9. In addition to the churches there are three cells, dormitories for monks and guests, with a capacity of sixty people, an oil press, a horse mill and a manual flour mill.
The history of the monastery is full of miracles. The monastery was the support of the inhabitants of the area during the times of the Turkish occupation, when Kelefa was the capital of the province and together with Oitylo formed the center of Mani.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou