Chrysoskalitissa Monastery — Attraction in Municipality of Kissamos

In the western side of Crete passing through the chestnut trees of Kissamos, the visitor arrives at the western coast of the island of Crete. Here on a sheer rock the monastery of Chryssoskalitissa is sited. It is concecrated to the Assumption of Virgin Mother, (15 August). During the Venetian occupation and possibly until the beginning of the Turkish occupation, the monastery was dedicated to Saint Nickolaos. According to the tradition, the holiness of the place is due to the presence of the icon of the Assumption of Virgin Mother which was found in a hollow of a rock. It was found by a farmer who saw as a vision the light of an oil-lamp in the evenings. The icon was carried to the slopes of the rock where it was more approachable for a church to be built. But the icon was removed to where it had been found for the first time. It became obvious that Virgin Mother wanted the church to be built on the rock and so it was done. As tradition says, the name Chryssoskalitissa (carved on gold) was taken from a golden stair, the last of ninety eight stairs which led to the holy rock. It is said this stair was sold among other property of the monastery to the Turks for the payment of taxes imposed by the sultan. It is also mentioned that on Easter day 1824 and after the massacre of the Christians by Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt in Elafonissos, a few soldiers from the Turkish army passed by the empty at that time monastery of Chryssoskalitissa intending to destroy it. However, when they were walking up the stairs they were attacked by a swarm of bees nested in a cavity of the rock and the monastery was saved. Today at the place there is an iconostasion to remind the miracle by...

Today, my wife and I had a very disappointing experience at Chrysoskalitissa Monastery. We bought a ticket for two people from the ticket cashier at the entrance. However, when I realized I forgot my camera in the car and asked my wife to go ahead while I quickly retrieved it, the same staff member refused to let me re-enter even though we had just paid for both of us!

She insisted that I needed to pay a "deposit" for another ticket (despite our original payment covering two people) and claimed she would refund it later. The problem? My wallet and phone were with my wife, so I couldn’t pay even if I wanted to. Instead of showing basic understanding, the attendant displayed zero empathy or trust, forcing me to wait outside.

Eventually, my wife realized something was wrong and came back down, but the stress completely ruined our mood to visit the monastery once again together. What should have been a beautiful experience turned into frustration due to illogical rules and poor...

This is the place of worship - nothing less. Position with the awesome view adds to the good feeling, but the focus should be on the historical point of view along with the faith. Byzantine museum, although small, holds some of the stunningly good books and artifacts, for those who know to appreciate them. Secret school is a nice addition to the whole picture and at the same time a reminder of what the Hellenic people had to endure druig the Otoman rule. Admition price for the museum and school are more symbolic and one will, certainly, get way more for the price of 2,5 euros in 2022. The church itself depicts the time it was built on through size & icons.

Again, as a plain tourist don't expect anythig "spectacular", expect the history, faith and the silence present of something higher. Well worth visiting,...