Chomatistra beach
The bay of Chomatistra is located 24km north of Agios Nikolaos and 9km north of Plaka, near the village Vrouchas, at the Cape of Agios Ioannis - Aforesmenos. The wild landscape of the area is characterized by bare mountains, steep cliffs and frequent strong winds. Within this eerie landscape you’ll meet a small bay with calm water that is used by the fishermen when the north Cretan Sea is stormy. The beach of Chomatistra that is formed in the bay has many rocks and pebbles, making it ideal for fishing. Moreover, it is quite isolated and it is most probable that you will be here alone.
You can reach the beach through the road leading to the lighthouse of Aforesmenos from Plaka. You will pass from the village Vrouchas with the old windmills, stone houses and picturesque churches. Then you come across the wind park next to the white chapel of St. John (Agios Ioannis) and an old German observation post. There is a dirt track, usually locked (so you have to walk), that reaches the cove of Chomatistra starting from there. Next to Chomatistra another path starts (5 ') leading to the abandoned lighthouse at the tip of Cape Aforesmenos that was built in 1864 by the French Lighthouse Company.
In Cape Aforesmenos furious winds blow most of the time, but its strange name (meaning expelled from Church) comes from another reason. According to the legend, after Caiaphas crucified Jesus he started his journey to Rome in order to meet with Caesar. However, during the journey he died of a disease. Because he was a noble person, he should be buried properly. When his sailors approached Crete they tried to reach the little bay of Chomatistra, but the flat sea surface turned into huge waves. Nevertheless, the sailors managed to get out to the coast and bury Caiaphas. Thus, Cape Aforesmenos was named like this denoting that the crucifier of Christ was buried there and the sea did not calm down by then.
