⭐ Travel Guide for Island Crete ⛵, Greece❗

The arrival of Saint John the Hermit in Crete of the Early Christian Times was the beginning of a great ascetic tradition that continues to the present day. Hundreds of hermits secluded in the most remote parts of the island, forming ascetic communities that later evolved to thriving monasteries. Hundreds of countryside monasteries, most of which don't operate today, are dispersed throughout the island.

A special sample of hermitage is the Monastery Katholiko at Akrotiri Cape in the caves of which hermits lived their monastic life away, from worldly pleasures. Equally important were the religious sites of the secluded peninsulas Gramvousa and Rodopos, where several small monasteries developed.

The greatest hermitage of all was the naturally isolated, and impassable range of Asterousia in southern Heraklion. Hundreds of caves from Saint Nikitas to Cape Lithino still host hermits. Relations between them were so limited that in Agiofarago and Martsalo they gathered only once a year, in cave Goumenospilio and counted how many of them survived each year.

In eastern Crete, the north province of Mirabello is the largest field of asceticism with dozens of small monastic establishments. Here hermits built small monasteries, where they usually lived alone.

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Archangel Michael Church at Aradena

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The impressive church of the Archangel Michael (celebr. November 8) on the edge of the canyon of Aradena is a cruciform church with a dome and is dated back from the 14th century, built on a former basilica of the 5-6th century that belonged to the city Aradin. It bears frescoes of the 14th centur and a mark with the date 1546.

Church of All Saints at Fres

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At Agii Pantes village, by Fres village, there is the Byzantine church of All Saints (Agii Pantes). The church looks like a three nave basilica with smaller central nave, but is actually a cruciform temple with a large dome.

Church of Saint Nicholas at Elenes

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The double-aisled church of St. Nicholas and St. Anne is located at the village Elenes. The aisled of Saint Nicholas bears frescoes dating back from the 13th century, although an inscription tells 1609. The aisle of St Anne bears new frescoes.

Panagia Keragoniotissa monastery at Latsida

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The church of Panagia Keragoniotissa or Melissenou or Goniotissa is one of the most remarkable monuments of the region of Mirabello on a site with many oak trees. The church, dedicated to the Assumption (celebr. August 15), dates from the 14th century.

Axenti Village and Church

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The deserted settlement Axenti is located amongst the most fertile fields and forests of oak in the area and was blessed to have several water springs. There is a lovely trail starting from Pirouniana, crossing the oak forest of Papoura, coming across carved wine presses, water mills, the church of St. George Chostos and a waterfall, and reaching Axenti after 15 minutes.

Saint Nikolaos monastery by Sternes

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Between the village Sternes and the Monastery Koudoumas, on the wild and arid range of Asterousia, we meet the abandoned village and the church of St. Nicholas (celebrating on December 6th). The church was a dependency of the monastery Koudoumas.

Saint George Church at Loutres

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East of Malia, at position Loutres, there is the church of Saint George. The church is built on the site of a former church of the 9th century and dates back to Venetian period (13th century). Its interior bears frescoes, among them Saint George on his horse and various saints. On the walls we can discern engravings of the Medieval traveller (dates 1594,1613,1614 and 1616).

Panagia Vigliotissa church at Voulismeni

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The church has been fully restored and the surrounding area has been transformed into a beautiful small park with a statue dedicated to Mother.

Asceticism

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