Overview

This is a private tour with a 7-seater van for a maximum 6 guests.
We will tour around Akrotiri peninsula. First visit the historic monasteries of Agia Triada and Gouverneto. They played an active role in the local history. We will marvel the magnificent architecture and structure of the monasteries and explore their rich history. Being religious myself, I can explain many things regarding the traditions and practices of the Orthodox faith.
Next stop we will relax for two hours by the crystal clear waters of Aegean sea in the quiet beautiful bay of Stavros.
On the way back we will stop at Venizelos graves to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Chania.
There is an optional visit of famous Chania old town, a 2-hour hike to the Cave of Arkoudiotisa and later to Katholiko, an ancient monastic community or wine tasting at a monastery.

Description

Stop At: Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada), Akrotiri 73100

The Patriarchal Monastery of Agia Triada Tsagarolon is one of the most important monasteries of the end of the Venetian Empire in Crete with a great contribution to the History and Education of the island. It was built by the brothers Jeremiah and Lorenzo of the old Venetian family of the Zagaroloi, who were monks in the nearby monastery of Gouverneto. The one of the brothers, Jeremiah traveled to Mount Athos to copy the construction plans for the new monastery while he was influenced by the venetian architect Sebastiano Serlio. The monastery started its construction on the site of an older monastery in 1611. During the Greek Liberation Revolution of 1821, the Ottomans burnt down the monastery, along with all the historical and ecclesiastical documents and it was deserted for a few years. The monastery was renovated in 1830. In 1892 the Church School , which trained famous priests and teachers, was also erected here and in 1930 it evolved into one of the finest Ecclesiastical Schools in the Eastern Christianity (Ieratiki Scholi). The Holy Trinity (Agia Triada) Monastery is probably the most impressive monastic complex of the final period of Venetian rule on Crete, due to both its scale and architectural form. It combines elements of the Orthodox monastic style with western architectural forms and this reflects the spirit of convergence of the two dogmas on the island of Crete. The fortress-like complex forms a huge rectangle with an impressive church in the center and two small chapels, in the style of Orthodox monasteries.
Over here we will explore the Historical and Christian Heritage through the centuries, show you the monastery, visit its magnificent Wine Cellar and fascinating Folclore and Artifacts and Woodcrafts Exhibition of centuries-old ecclesiastical orthodox pictures.

Duration: 50 minutes

Stop At: Gouverneto Monastery, Chania Town 73100

The Gouverneto Monastery or of Our Lady of the Angels, so called, is on the north side of Akrotiri, near the Monastery of Agia Triada Tzagarolon, at the entrance of the Gorge Avlaki. The original location was next to the sea and must be founded in the 6th or 7th century, but lately was abandoned because of frequent pirate raids. The new monastery began to be built in the period 1537-1548, at an altitude of 260 meters, from monastic and ascetic who built on a pre-existing ancient temple. The fortress architecture of the complex is with four towers at the corners with embrasures of which only two survive nowadays. Its dimensions are of 40 x 50 meters and have about 50 cells on two floors. The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and that's why it's also called "Monastery of Our Lady of the Angels". It has a cruciform shape and dome, its columns and sculptures are according to the Italian influences. The church is in the center of the monastery while around the church there are the cells, a small museum, a small ecclesiastical market etc. Around the monastery there are some smaller chapels and numerous monastery dependences and sketes. During the Venetian rule, the Monastery had a remarkable spiritual movement and in 1637 was one of the biggest monasteries with many monks, monastery dependencies and important property. During the early years of Ottoman rule, the Monastery (Monastir Bali - monastery of honey so called by the Turks) was the seat of the Bishop of Crete. During the Revolution of 1821, the monastery was looted and many monks were killed. A few years later, in the 1830s, Gouverneto began to reorganize and in 1894 were completed the works for completion of the sacred temple of Our Lady of the Angels and more specifically the front and two side chapels. Today this historic monastery is an important pilgrimage destination with active presence in the religious and social life under the blessing of the new brotherhood living there.
The additional tour to Katholiko Monastery
Nearby the Gouverneto Monastery there is a pathway where you can still see caves and sketes form the first monastic community dated back from the 4th century. . As you will keep on going you will find the abandoned monastery of Saint John the Hermit which is popularly known as Katholiko. Next to the monastery is the cave, where Saint John the Hermit lived in asceticism. For this custom tour add 2 hours and 30 minutes including rest.

Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Venizelos Graves, Agorastaki 4, Chania Town 73133

One of the most popular places offering spectacular panoramic views of Chania is the Tombs of Venizelos. Here are the graves of the well-known Greek politician Eleftherios Venizelos and his son Sophocles Venizelos, as well as the small church of Prophet Elijah. Around the tombs there is a beautiful small park and the view to Chania is unobstructed. Eleftherios Venizelos, one of the most important figures in Greek history, was born in Turkish-occupied Crete in 1864 and died on his own in Paris in 1936. His body was transported and buried here, and in 1965 the tomb of his son Sophocles, who served as Prime Minister of Greece from 1943 to 1952, was built.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Stavros Beach, Spirou Lera, Spirou Kagiale, Stavros 73100

Stavros Beach is a gorgeous beach located 10 km from the Monasteries on the northern tip of the Akrotiri Cape. We will spend most of our time there. This is where legendary movie “Zorbas The Greek” with Holywood Star Antony Queen was filmed. You can take a swim on its deep vivid blue shallow waters and have lunch!

Duration: 3 hours