Katholiko Monastery in Akrotiri peninsula

The mythical and uninhabited Monastery of Katholiko is located in the Akrotiri peninsula, not far from the Gouvernetto Monastery and the Cave of the Panagia Arkoudiotissa, where there is a "drinking bear" made of stone. It takes about 15-20 minutes to walk from Gouvernetto to Panagia Arkoudiotissa, and from there it takes about 15-20 minutes to walk to the Katholiko Monastery. There is plenty to see and do in the Akrotiri peninsula, so don't miss to go here if you are in western Crete.

The path that goes down to Katholiko Monastery and Katholiko beach.

On the way to the Katholiko Monastery and Katholiko beach.

The entrance to the Katholiko Monastery in the Akrotiri peninsula.

The steep twisting path down to the monastery runs along a very beautiful scenery, to the left you see a ravine and beyond it is the sea. The path descend steeply, it feels in your knees. After a while, the path sharply turns left and soon you see the monastery below. The trail ends with 140 steps.

The stairs with the 140 steps leading down to the Katholiko Monastery.

The church is located in a cave.

The mythical monastery Katholiko. How was life here when the monastery was active?

The tiny church in the monastery.

It is believed that the Katholiko Monastery was founded by hermits as early as in the 8th century. Some sources suggest it could be as early as in the 7th century. But with no doubt, this is Crete's oldest monastery. The church itself is partly built into a cavern in the hillside. An impressive stone bridge, wide as a tennis court, leads from the monastery over a deep ravine. The whole place is magical, so beautiful, so peaceful.

From the monastery, a mighty stone bridge as wide as a tennis court leads over a deep stream gorge.

Monk cells in one of the few remaining houses.

The Katholiko Monastery in the Akrotiri peninsula.

The monastery has been uninhabited for a long time. For how long, I do not know, but given that olive trees grow in one of the houses, it has probably been uninhabited for a long time.

There is an olive tree growing in a house, the monastery must have been uninhabited for a long time.

The Katholiko Monastery is in my opinion one of Crete's most interesting sights. If you want to go for a swim after admiring the monastery, you can continue down to the sea where Katholiko beach is located. The beach is small, but good things come in small packages, as one generally say. The small cove where the beach is located was used as a harbour when the monks lived in the monastery.

WHAT YOU MUST NOT MISS WHEN YOU VISIT KATHOLIKO MONASTERY

Don't miss the drinking bear, which you can read about here »

READ MORE ABOUT CRETE HERE »