Just a couple of kilometers from Elafonissos beach is the impressive monastery of Hryssoskalitisa. Overlooking the sea and situated atop a large slab of rock, this gorgeous blue and white monastery (now a convent home to just one nun) is dedicated to the Assumption of the Holy Mother. Inside is a small chapel containing some religious relics and texts. As tradition goes, this monastery was given the name ‘Monastery of the Golden Stair’ dating back to beliefs that just one of its ninety-eight steps was made of gold but only the most faithful and pure of heart could recognize it.
