Chrysoskalitissa Monastery

Chrysoskalitissa Monastery
Μονή Χρυσοσκαλιτίσσης
Map credit
Location of the monastery in Crete
Interactive map of Chrysoskalitissa Monastery
Monastery information
OrderEcumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
DenominationGreek Orthodox
Dedicated to
ArchdioceseChurch of Crete
Architecture
StatusMonastery
Functional statusActive
Completion date17th century
Site
LocationKissamos, Innachori, Crete
CountryGreece
Coordinates35°18′41″N 23°32′00″E / 35.3113°N 23.5334°E / 35.3113; 23.5334

The Chrysoskalitissa Monastery (Greek: Μονή Χρυσοσκαλιτίσσης) is a 17th-century Greek Orthodox monastery located on the southwest coast of the island of Crete, Greece. Within the municipal district of Innachori of the municipality of Kissamos, the monastery lies about 72 kilometres (45 mi) southwest of Chania. Built up on rocks 35 metres (115 ft) above sea level, it overlooks the Libyan Sea.

Features

History

The coastal area close to the monastery promontory has several small coves that in earlier times offered welcome landing points for sailors coming to Crete from the west.[1] There archeologists have found interesting remains of late Neolithic and Early Minoan settlements.[2]

According to local tradition, the name of the monastery is derived from one of the ninety steps leading up to the main building. This step is said to be golden (χρυσός - chrysos in Greek) and visible only to devout Christians.[3]

The monastery is dedicated to the Holy Trinity (Greek: Aγία Τριάδα, romanizedAgia Triada) and the Dormition of Virgin Mary (Greek: Κοίμησης της Θεοτόκου, romanizedKoimisis tis Theotokou).

See also

References

  1. ^ Nowicki, Krzysztof (2000). Defensible sites in Crete, c. 1200-800 B.C.: (LM IIIB/IIIC through Early Geometric). Histoire de l'art et archéologie de la Grèce antique. Université de Liège. p. 22. ISBN 978-90-429-2420-8. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  2. ^ Nowicki, Krzysztof (2008). Monastiraki Katalimata: Excavation of a Cretan Refuge Site, 1993-2000. INSTAP (Institute for Aegean Prehistory) Academic Press. p. 75. ISBN 9781623030605. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  3. ^ "Places to Go". Deltanet. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved May 10, 2009.

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