Kalamafka & Timios Stavros Chapel

Kalamafka is an attractive village in the mountains near Ierapetra in south-east Crete. Timios Stavros Chapel which is on top of Kastelos Hill is one of the reasons to visit. There is a bit of a climb, up 224 steps, but the view is worth the effort.

The view of Kalamafka itself, nestled in the mountains, is great, and there is also a view of the Libyan sea if you walk round to the side. There is a cafe at the bottom of the steps, set in an attractive paved square. Kalamafka also has some pretty old houses and 2 churches. Some of the views of the Libyan sea on the way to Kalamafka are also stunning.

The chapel is the chapel of the stone god and there is a festival in the village every year on the 14th September. It is believed that the cave area has been a sacred site for thousands of years, dating back to Minoan times.