Monastery Panagia Kaliviani

The settlement includes the imposing three-aisled church, dedicated to the Nativity, the Annunciation, and the Dormition of the Theotokos, celebrated on August 15. Among its significant buildings, the historic chapel of the Life-Giving Spring from the 14th century stands out, a unique example of Byzantine art with frescoes from the Christological cycle and the Ten Saints of the Messara region.

The monastery is renowned for its social work, as it hosts many charitable foundations. Since 1956, under the guidance of the Metropolitan of Gortyna and Arkadia, Timotheos Papoutsakis, the Monastery has become a central place of social assistance, hosting facilities including the “Tenderness of the Virgin” orphanage, “Saints Ten” elderly care center, “Holy Shelter” Adolescent Protection Center, and “Theotokos” Child Protection Center. It also hosts workshops on ecclesiastical sewing, weaving, and iconography, as well as an elementary school and kindergarten for the children of the foundations and the surrounding area.

The monastery’s history dates back to the Byzantine era when a male monastery once stood in its current location. During the Ottoman period, the area was confiscated by Hussein Bey Vrazerakis but was returned to the Church’s control in the late 19th century, with the support of Metropolitan Meletios and intervention by Reuf Pasha. The reconstruction of the new church began in 1911 and was completed in 1924.