Akrotiri, is a large peninsula that extends, in a small distance and northeast of the city of Chania. Here is the international airport of Chania (political and military).
Among the rocky shores of Akrotiri, there are some remarkable beaches and some important historical and religious monuments.
Beaches in the area of Akrotiri
The characteristic with most beaches in Akrotiri is that although they are located in the northern part of Crete, they are not affected by the winds, as is the case with other beaches on the north coast.
Some of the leeward beaches of Akrotiri.
Stavros
Tersanas
Kalathas
Seitan Ports
Marathi
Loutraki
Sights in Akrotiri
The tombs of the Venizelos family
The tombs of Venizelos, the two important politicians and prime ministers of Greece, are located on the hill of the prophet Elias, in a very beautifull area with panoramic views of the city of Chania and the wider area.
The Monastery of the Holy Trinity of Tzagarolos
The monastery of the Holy Trinity of Tzagarolos is located at the foot of the Stavros mountain range, in Akrotiri.
It was designed and built by the brothers Jeremiah and Lavrentios Tzagarolos, at the end of the Venetian rule in Crete, around 1634, and was completed during the Turkish occupation.
This complex is an architectural masterpiece while in its area are kept many valuable objects.
The monks produce oil and wine which are bottled and available for sale. In the cellars of the monastery where the wine is under ageing process, the visitor has the opportunity to try it.
The Monastery of Gouvernetos
The monastery of Gouvernetos, with the temple dedicated to the Lady of the Angels is the oldest monastery of the cape and one of the most important in Crete.
The monastery has undergone many destructions and alterations of its original form over the centuries.
Indicatively, most of the windows of the monastery were ports that were opened. Some of the original buildings were demolished and new ones were built, even in the courtyard of the monastery.
The Cave of Panagia Arkoudiotissa
The “Cave of Panagia Arkoudiotissa”, took its name after a popular legend that developed due to the existence of a stalagmite that looks like a bear crouching to drink water from a stone tank.
Due to the legend…
“Monks who were practicing in the area needed the water of the tank due to the lack of water. But the water of the tank was strangely lost. One day they watched to see how it was running out. So they saw a bear entering the cave and drinking the water. They were afraid “in the presence of the bear”, and begged the Virgin Mary to save them. Immediately the Virgin Mary performed her miracle and petrified the bear. To commemorate the Virgin Mary’s miracle, they built the chapel at the entrance of the cave.”
Since then the cave was named “Cave of Panagia Arkoudiotissa” or more simply “Cave of the bear” or “Arkoudospilia”.
Archaeological findings prove that in antiquity this cave was used as a place of worship of the goddess Artemis.
