The Monastery of Panagia Kanalon is found in a spectacular location, on the SE side of the mountain, above the settlement of Skotina, at the start of the Ziliana/Kanalon creek, with an amazing view of the Thermaikos gulf in the east. The exact date establishment is not known. The first mention off the monastery’s operation is found in a 17th century Turkish document. It has been classified as a monastery falling under the Patriarchate’s jurisdiction since 1903. The monastery, dedicated to the birth of the Virgin Mary, flourished in the 18th century and the first half of the 19th. During the following revolutionary era, it was destroyed and pillaged several times by Turk-Albanian soldiers. Its church was rebuilt in 1883. 17th century frescoes, which have suffered damage from poor maintenance and human hands, can be found at the nearby chapel of Agios Dimitrios. The monastery was blown up by German occupying forces during World War II. In 1987, the monastery was administratively transferred from the Metropolis of Kitrous to the Metropolis of Elasona. In recent years, extensive restorative works have been undertaken. The monastery, with the contribution of its friendly female sisterhood, has regained its former glory.
