Monastery of the Virgin Mary Kalamiotissa
(Monolith, Kalamos)

The ascent to the top of Kalamos, the distinct monolith of Anafi (the second highest in the Mediterranean, after Gibraltar) is a unique experience. The total distance is 2.5 km, with the altitude difference from the beginning at the monastery of the Life-Giving Spring to the top and the monastery of Kalamiotissa approximately 370 m. Climbing time: 60-75 min. The view from the top of the rock (460 m altitude) is amazing. Many visitors go at night to wait for the impressive sunrise. There used to be a medieval castle on the monolith, the monastery was built from its ruins in the early 1600s or 1715. According to a local tradition, the monastery of the Virgin Mary Kalamiotissa got its name because an icon of the Virgin Mary was found hanging from a reed ('kalami' in Greek) on a rock. Some women of the island still have this name today. The church celebrates the birthday of the Virgin Mary with a festival every September 8. Inside the church, there is an 18thC carved wooden icon screen.