Trooditissa Monastery sits in a pine-wooded valley about 7 kilometres from Pano Platres, at 1,400 metres — higher than the village itself. The current buildings date largely from the 18th century, though the monastery's history goes back to the 13th century or earlier. It is an active community of Orthodox monks and feels appropriately austere: stone walls, cool air, the smell of incense and pine resin.
The church interior houses significant Byzantine icons, including the icon of the Virgin for which the monastery is named. The setting, tucked into a steep valley with forest rising on all sides, is genuinely beautiful. The road up from Platres is a pleasant drive or a challenging cycle. Note that the monastery keeps restricted visiting hours and appropriate dress (covered shoulders and knees) is required.