Description of the attraction
Among the many Orthodox shrines of the Greek island of Crete, the Chrysoskalitissa Monastery undoubtedly deserves special attention. It is located on the southwestern coast of the island, about 72 km from the city of Chania, on top of a picturesque rocky hill with breathtaking panoramic views of the Libyan Sea, and is considered one of the most interesting and popular local attractions.
Translated from Greek, the word "chrysoskalitissa" means "golden staircase". The name is rather unusual and, as always in such cases, a beautiful legend is attached to it about how an icon depicting the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos appeared on the top of the rock, how it was taken down, how it was planned to build a monastery at the foot of the rock, but each time the icon miraculously returned to its original place, as it was decided to build a temple on the top, and that for this it was necessary to cut out 98 steps in the rock, the last of which turned out to be golden. This is how the monastery got its name. True, it should be noted that according to legend, only a sinless person can see this golden step.
The exact date of the founding of the monastery is unknown, but it is believed that it was built during the reign of the Venetians in Crete. During the occupation of the island by the Turks, the monks were forced to leave the monastery, and it was empty for a long time. In 1855, large-scale restoration work began, which was completely completed by 1894, when a new church was built on the site of the old Catholicon, consecrated in honor of the Virgin Mary and the Holy Trinity on August 15, 1894.
In 1900, the monastery was closed and only reopened in 1940. During the Second World War, German soldiers settled in the monastery, expelling its inhabitants, who were able to return only when the invaders left the island.
