The islet of Elafonisi
The small islet of Elafonisi is separated from the mainland by a
small channel. Protected by an EU environmental programme,
the pristine beach, with its pure white sandbars and clear
turquoise sea are breathtakingly beautiful. The whole region has
beautiful beaches although the coast near the monastery is steep
and rocky. The island has a tragic history that belays its
tranquil beauty. In 1824 it was the site of a Turkish massacre
of 850 women and children who were hiding here. Sadly, they were
discovered and all brutally murdered. A plaque on the island
commemorates this slaughter.
Further north close to the bay of Stonio, some 72km south-west
of Chania, lies the monastery of Chrysoskalitissa which is built
on a rock and has superb views across the bay. The name,
Chrysoskalitissa means golden step and there is a legend that
one of the 90 steps leading up to the monastery is of pure gold
but only those with pure spirits are able to see it. The
monastery was abandoned during the Turkish occupation until the
middle of the 19th century when a monk from the region of
Sphakia moved in. Today there is one monk and one nun ( who are
kin) live there.