Northeast of the city of Chania extends the incomparably beautiful cape Akrotiri. Beyond the beautiful villages and places with a view to Souda Bay and the White mountains, what really impresses the visitors are the unique monasteries scattered all over the peninsula.
Following the route from Chania with direction to the airport, the first stop is at Prophitis Ilias. From here the visitor will see the whole city of Chania, the old harbour, but also the place where the Cretan rebels raised their bodies instead of flags before the eyes of the whole Europe. On this hill, which hugs the whole gulf of Chania, are the graves of Eleftherios Venizelos and Sofoklis Venizelos.
As you continue towards the airport, after some time, you will see on your left a sign informing you about the monastery of the Nuns (Kalograion). The monastery is located at Korakies, a beautiful village that has the flair of past times. Shortly before the entrance of the airport, if you turn left and follow the signs, you arrive in front of the monastery of Agia Triada (Holy Trinity), or the Tsangarolon Monastery of the 17th century. The owners of the monastery, the Venetian brothers Tsangaroloi, chose a place among vineyards and olive groves and built a monastery of impressive size. The entrance of the monastery is amazing, as well as the internal enclosure.
The beautiful, from architectural view, church, is dedicated to Zoodochos Pigi (The Spring of Life) and to St. John the Theologist. It is worth mentioning that the monastery produces organic products, virgin olive oil and wine, which are produced in the surrounding.As we continue our route we leave the monastery behind and head to the north, crossing a stream.
After 4 km we see the enclosure of Gouvernetou Monastery. Impressive are the sculptures at the facade of the Katholikon. In front of the enclosure of the Monastery begins an easy downhill path that leads as to the cave of Panagia Arkoudiotissa – a cave with beautiful stalagtites and stalagmites, the most impressive of which resembling a bear drinking water. In the cave there is also a small church.
As we continue walking in the path, after 20 minutes we see the deserted Katholiko Monastery. An impressive stone-built entrance leads to the enclosure and roof of the monastery, which is in reality a bridge connecting the two sides of the gorge. In the rocks we can still see small caves in which hermits lived. Through the stream’ we reach the see, where the ruins of a small shipyard are located, in a small bay with deep blue waters.
More Information
- Route Difficulty: Very Easy
- Route Duration: 2 Hours
- Visit Period: All year
