During our 2021 Greece trip to Naxos, we found many places to explore with Kalamitsia Monastery being one of our favorites. Also known as The Jesuit Monastery, this was much easier to find than we anticipated and so much fun to explore. We had a small SUV so we were able to drive the road to the monastery, but you can walk it as well.
Location
Kalamitsia Monastery is located 1.4 km south of the village of Melanes and 3.6 km NW of Ano Potamia. It is also a little over 9 km SE of Chora, Naxos. The monastery is located on a narrow dirt road. We had no difficulty with a small 4 wheel drive, but a car could probably drive this road as well. The road ends just after the monastery and we parked there.
History
The Kalamitsia Monastery was built in 1673 as a summer retreat for the Jesuit Monks up until about 1773. It was a fairly large and beautiful complex. Locals at that time referred to it as The Jesuit Palace because of its size and luxury. Other orders of monks occupied the monastery over the years. Now abandoned and in ruins, you can still see the beauty and grandeur from long ago.
Exploring the Monastery
The monastery is free to visit and from my understanding can be visited from dawn to dusk. There are no restrictions as to where you can not go, but it should be noted that extreme carefulness is necessary. The monastery sits on the side of a hill, almost hidden from the distance, so it seemed like we suddenly came upon it.
Since the monastery is in ruins, and there is no restoration in progress, this can definitely be a dangerous place. There are loose stones, dark areas, fallen walls, and also debris throughout the complex. Be very careful and watch where you are stepping. We would have loved to explore even more than we did, but we also erred on the side of safety and only explored areas which we felt comfortable walking about.
Conclusion
Kalamitsia Monastery was everything we hoped it to be and was also one of our favorite places to explore in Naxos, Greece. We loved the solitude and the beauty, not just the monastery, but the general area as well. It was a great stop for the day. Follow my next post which will continue the day hiking to two of the three Naxos Kouros. The Kouros are giant marble statues found in ancient quarries.
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Follow these Links for more posts of my 2021 Greece Vacay:
Lionas Beach and Apollonas Kournos, Sept 2021
Hiking Mt Zas and Cave of Za, Naxos, Sept 2021
Catamaran around Naxos, Sept 2021
Kouros of Melanes, Naxos, Sept 2021
The Portara of Naxos, Sept 2021
Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel, Revisited 2021
Ancient City of Lato, Sept 2021
Aforesmenos Lighthouse, Crete, Sept 2021
Avli Lounge Hotel, Rethymno, Sept 2021
Matala Beach Caves, Crete, Sept 2021
Hike to Martsalos Beach, Sept 2021
The Chapel at Georgioupoli, Sept 2021
Koutalas Beach and Sea Cave, Sept 2021
A Walk Through Chania, Sept 2021
Links to our 2018 and also 2019 Trip can be found in this post:
10 Days in Greece Athens, Crete, Santorini 2019
8 Days in Greece, Athens, Milos, Santorini 2018
Diary of a Gen-X recommendations for hotels, restaurants, & tours are based on our own experiences. We do not receive compensation for recommending at any of these nor are we affiliates of any hotels, restaurants, or tours. The only hotels & restaurants we recommend are places we stay which are clean, comfortable, and provide exceptional hospitality.
Wow, you really captured the texture of time, Lori – makes my mind wander with stories and people going about! Happy holidays, Merry Christmas, and the best of New Years for us all! 😊
Thank you! I know when we were there I tried to imagine many centuries of life in this place! Happy Holidays to you as well!
I think your imagining shows, Lori, which translated to such interesting, even intriguing story-like images ❤️
Thank you! It was fun wondering which room was the kitchen.. where they gathered to keep warm in winter.. etc.❤️
Oh goodness, being in almost-always hot Texas (‘cept for our super freeze this past Feb, lol!) I hardly ever even think about that, lol! How’d you determine it? Like a cooking area pit etc?
Lol. I couldn’t figure it out!! There was one room on the lower level that looked like it could have had a fireplace but I pretty much made it up as I went along!! Lol
I’ve a feeling that’s what those folks back then did too ❤️
Definitely a monastery with a view. I guess a life of service has to come with at least some perks. Thanks for sharing Lori. Allan
Thanks for reading! Have a Happy New Year, Allan!! Lori
These ruins look so cool!
They were so fun to explore! It was fairly early in the morning and we were the only ones here so that was even more awesome!!
that really does seem to be quite well hidden. but it would be fun to explore something that old…
side note – for some reason I was unable to post this comment from the WP Reader…
I will check my word press reader. Thanks. As for the Monastery it was really quite impressive!
I’m guessing it’s likely a problem on my end with the Reader…
Maybe. I checked quick on my phone and it looks ok. I’ll look at my
hopefully it’s jsut a one-time glitch on my end…
I’ll look at my laptop when I get home!
at least I can comment on your comments right from the WP Reader…
I couldn’t find anything odd on my laptop either!
thanks for checking!
Being careful when visiting ruins is wise in that it’s better to explore history than inadvertently becoming part of it. Nice share, Lori….. jerry
I agree, Jerry! Plus we do not want to get injured in the middle of nowhere! Have a Happy New Year!! Lori
Lovely ruins! The insides look a bit run down, but I’m actually amazed at how well-preserved most of it is. A beautiful and peaceful monastery that looks out to the rugged landscape outside!
Nice! Wishing you all the best for ’22!
✨❄⛄🎄🥂🕊💖🕊🥂🎄⛄❄✨
Same to you!!!
The skies are amazing. If I were a monk, this would be the place.
I agree! Such a great place!!
Amazing architectural remains and photographs, Lori ~ looks awesome! Thanks for sharing!!
It was a fun place to roam and a photographer’s dream!!!
Oh wow! Your photos are amazing. So nice that you are getting off the beaten path.
I’m sure if you are still there, if so, I would highly recommend you check out fellow blogger over at https://olympusmountaineering.com/.
He’s a local, and has some wonderful, off the beaten path, hikes.
Enjoy!!!
I already follow him!!! I love his posts! We are back in the States now but will visit Greece again in Sept 2022.
Yeah! So glad to hear it. Did you go to any of his places?
Always interested how places were constructed way back when. Thanx for sharing.
Art
Thank you for commenting!
Very stunning. It’s kind of a shame it’s not still in use and has gone to ruin. It must have been awesome in its day.
I bet it was fantastic back in the day!