Naxos Kalamitsia Monastery

Location: Melanes

In a walking distance of 2 km from the village of Melanes, in the region of Kalamitsia, lies a deserted Jesuit Monastery of Kalamitsia.

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The monastery, also known as the Jesuit Palace, is surrounded by low hills and olive trees.

Constructed in 1673 by the Jesuit monk Roberto Sauze, this monastery sits on the ruins of an older Venetian mansion. Its marvelous design, elegance, and lavish style provoked the backlash of the residents at that time as this luxury was opposed to the supposedly austere life of the monks.

The monastery was established to serve as a Jesuit monks' summer resort, but it passed into the hands of other Catholic orders after some years.

Although it is deserted today, it stays in relatively good condition but its decline can be observed from year to year.

It has two stories and many ancillary wings. Visitors can admire the kitchen, laundry rooms, stables, and cells.

As the building has not been restored, special attention is required during the visit, especially on the roof.

You can get there by car following a hard dirt road or on foot from Melanes village or the Kouros.

How to get there

The Monastery of Kalamitsia is located in Melanes village.

Private transfers: We recommend using an online pre-booked transfer service, which provides transfer by taxi, minibus, or private VIP car and arranging a pickup directly from the port, airport, or your hotel. Alternatively, there’s the option of arranging a pickup by a local driver directly at the following numbers: 0030 22850 25835, 0030 22850 24829, or booking your taxi online.

Car rental: Τhere's the option of renting a car and picking it up directly from the airport, port, or your hotel. Using a rental car allows visitors to discover the Monastery of Kalamitsia and many other places of interest at their own pace.

Public transfers: The central bus station of the island is located at the port of Naxos. There are buses from Chora to Melanes during the day. Line 4 reaches Melanes. Consider that time schedules might change according to the season. Check the official timetables here.
Tip: Since buses don’t always stop at every scheduled stop of their itinerary, our advice to visitors is to inform the driver about their final destination in advance.