Spilia

Spilia is a traditional village of Crete, located in a green valley near Kolymvari. Its name means ”cave” and comes from the Cave of Agios Ioannis Erimitis which stands on a hill just out of the village, on the way to Marathokefala.

Spilia has old houses in the typical Cretan architecture, narrows alleys between the buildings and a few churches. Some of the houses are renovated or newly built in the same architectural style and are turned into villas to rent. There are only two tavernas in the village, one of them part of a hotel complex.

The Cave of Agios Ioannis Erimitis (St. John the Hermit) consists of a church built in the rock and a few premises, one of them believed to be the cell where the hermit lived, and another one - a small school. Water is slowly dripping from one of the cave walls and it is considered to have healing properties, so it is stored in glasses for the visitors.

highlights: traditional village near the Cave of Agios Ioannis Erimitis, village in Chania Region, Crete, Greece