Ypsilou Monastery

 https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC7VZJV

The monastery of Ypsilou stands on a 600 metres tall mountain. The very first evidence of this place dates back to the 8th century. At that time, a cave was used as a gathering place for monks, until a monastery was built there in the year 1101. Its appearance has not changed since the 16th century.

Unlike nowadays, there was no road leading to the monastery in the past, instead there were 4000 stairs carved into the rock, on which the monastery stands. Monks either carried supplies they needed by themselves, or had donkeys carry them to the monastery.

Today only three monks live there, looking after the monastery and the museum, where you can see ceremonial crosses ornamented by genuine brilliants, emeralds, rubies and pearls, as well as a collection of shrouds, prayer books and icons. There is a lovely view of the western part of the island from the monastery.