At the beginning of the Spiliotissa Gorge (on the side of Agios Vasileios) you will find the Sinai convent of Panagia Spiliotissa. The convent initially operated as a monastery and, today, it is one of the smallest active convents on Crete.
The chapel of the monastery is built on a rock, on which, according to tradition, an icon of the Virgin Mary was found. What remains of the murals on the rock in Panagia cave dates back to the 15th century. It seems that the monastery flourished at around 1600. It came under the jurisdiction of Sinai Monastery during the 1649-1669 period. The first primary school in the region was founded here. The school also served neighbouring hamlets in those years.
Contact Information
Tel: 2810 741370 (Visits to the convent can be arranged)
