• Location 75 km from Heraklion, 13 km from Lentas
• AccessDirt road from Krotos village, 4 km to the hill, 10-minute walk to the church
• TraditionMiraculous icon of the Virgin Mary found in a cave, despite attempts to return it to the original chapel
• Holy WaterWater emerging from the rock during the Divine Liturgy is considered miraculous

The cave chapel of Panagia at Vithano is one of the most historic and sacred sites in southern Crete. It is located on a steep hillside within the Loutras or Voulekgremo Gorge, approximately 75 kilometers from Heraklion and just 13 kilometers from Lentas, near the village of Krotos in the Asterousia Mountains. Access to the church is via a well-maintained dirt road, approximately 4 kilometers long, starting from Krotos village and leading to a hill with panoramic views of the Libyan Sea. From there, a short 10-minute walk leads to the chapel.

The church is dedicated to the Zoodocho Pigi and the date 20-5-1765 is preserved above the entrance of the church. Its current form has emerged after a renovation that took place in 1999.

According to local tradition, the icon of the Virgin Mary was found inside a cave by a shepherd who noticed light coming from the spot. After multiple attempts by the locals to return the icon to its original chapel, it miraculously returned to the cave. This led to the construction of the small chapel inside the cave. The area became a pilgrimage site for the faithful, who consider the cave sacred. Additionally, there is a belief that the spring water emerging from the rock during the Divine Liturgy has miraculous properties and is used as a remedy and amulet.

The path to Panagia at Vithano offers visitors a unique experience of natural beauty and tranquility. Aside from the religious aspect, visitors enjoy the wild beauty of the Cretan landscape and breathtaking views of the endless blue sea.