Gouverneto Monastery

The Gouverneto Monastery is located in the undeveloped north part of Akrotiri peninsula. It is away from all villages and one of the oldest monasteries on the island. Gouverneto is reachable via asphalt road starting near the Monastery of Agia Triada and continuing for about 5 km in the middle of wild and barren hilly landscape.

The monastery was built around 1540 as a Venetian style fortress. Nowadays it is maintained by the monks who live there and visits are allowed (except for Wednesdays and Fridays) with some restrictions - you should wear proper clothes, restrain from photos inside and keep silence. The monastery has simple rectangular shape and does not impress much at first sight, but the church locked between the monastery walls is quite interesting. Its facade has elaborate decorations, and the church houses some of the oldest frescoes on Crete.

From Gouverneto Monastery a hiking trail leads to one of the most interesting places on Akrotiri - the Katholiko Monastery, or what has left of it. The path passes by the Cave of Arkoudiotissa, the ruins of two old monasteries and reaches the imposing Katholiko Monastery in about 1 km. If you continue further to the north, you will get to the pebbled Katholiko beach.

highlights: monastery on Akrotiri peninsula, religious sight in Chania Region, Crete, Greece