Katholikon gorge is 16 kilometers east of the city of Chania. It is one of the most important beaches of Crete with a special religious value.
During the walk, you will find many caves where the monks and ascetics were sheltered, as well as the most ancient monastery of Crete, the Katholikon Monastery.
The route starts from the cobbled path to Gouverneto Monastery. It’s a downhill route with a tedious return. During your journey, you will find the cave of Saint Mary Arkoudiotissa with the ancient temple of Artemis. After another 10 minutes, we end up in the abandoned Monastery of Katholikon with the cave church of St. John the Hermit. The cave has a length of 135 meters and is decorated with stalagmites and stalactites. In the beginning, they have icons and candles.
Visitors can walk alongside the riverbed. Finally, a small stone creek with blue waters is created. There is a small bay where the monks kept their boats and a small well.
