Chrysopigi Monastery, Chaniá, Greece

The Convent of Chrysopigi, just outside Chania, is dedicated to Mother Mary, the Life-Giving Font (Panagia Zoodochos Pigi). The convent is built in a fortress style and it was founded by Ioannis Chartophylakas at the end of the 16th century. During Venetian rule it was a significant spiritual centre with a well-stocked library.

Its stopped flourishing with the Ottoman siege in the summer of 1645, when Philotheos Skoufos, the Father Superior, escaped to the Ionian Islands, taking with him the holy heirlooms of the monastery. Since then the place was deserted until it was restored in the 18th century. During the Liberation Revolution against the Ottomans it was burnt down.

After 1830 it played an important ecclesiastical role, but during the Second World War the Nazis obliged the monks to leave and caused serious damage to the buildings. In 1976 Chrysopigi was restored and became a convent. In the interior of the church dedicated to the Life-giving Font (Zoodochos Pigi), there are wonderful icons of the 19th century and a wonderfully carved wooden iconostasis.

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Destination Crete

User Reviews

Theophan Webster (6 months ago)
One of the most welcoming and beautiful places in the world, all of the nuns are so very kind and emulate the love of Christ. If you’re in Crete, this is a must-visit no matter where you are traveling from. Liturgies are on the weekends and start at 8:00AM. We have a forever connection to St. Porphyrios by God’s grace from this visit.

Maja Sellmer (9 months ago)
As soon as you step through the door you enter into another world, away from the everyday busyness and into the peace of God's presence. The sisters are very kind and welcoming. Wonderful place

mario pop (9 months ago)
Prist was angry and kicked us out the monastery because we came after 12pm. But at the entrance they charge us to get in!!

Γιάννης Θωμαδάκης (2 years ago)
The most beautiful, picturesque monastery in Chania, with very friendly nuns, well organised and pious. The best example if you wish to acquaint yourself with the Christian Orthodox church, as well as the monastic life in Crete.

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The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.

Chrysopigi Monastery

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