The four monasteries around Xanthi are built in such a way that they create a conceivable cross which -according to religious traditions- sanctifies the city, protecting it from epidemics and natural disasters.
These are the monasteries of Panagia Archangeliotissa (Samakoviani), Panagia Kalamou (Kalamiotissa), Taxiarches and the temple of Agios Nikolaos in Porto Lagos, which is the “metochi” (monastic farmland) of the Vatopedi monastery.