Our travel advisors will assist you plan your trip, with great holiday deals – all in one place. Call +30 2810 331470
Be the first to hear about latest sales promotions, money saving deals and more! Sign up now!
The monastery of Katholiko stands in an impressive gorge and can be reached by descending a steep footpath.
The magnificent buildings of the monastery dating from the 10th and 11th century make it possibly the oldest on Crete. The church of Saint John is hewn out of the rocks.
Many centuries ago there was nothing else here except the caves of the hermits and the gorge. It was very difficult to get from the one side of the gorge to the other and a giant stone bridge was constructed. The buildings were erected on the bridge.
Just before the monastery on the left side is a deep cave. It is said that John the Hermit lived there, who became patron Saint of the local church.
Local legends relate that the Saint used to live only from roots and his body was stooped by the deprivation. One evening as he went to search for roots, and because he was so bowed and looked like an animal walking on four feet, a hunter mistook him for game and shot him with its bow. The Saint managed to crawl into his cave with great difficulty, and died there. Since then the cave has been a place of pilgrimage.
The way back is very steep and quite tiring.