Continuing on past the small plateau, a tree-lined road leads to the Greek Orthodox monastery Gonia and the Ecclesiastical Academy of Crete.

Greek Orthodox Gonias Monastery, Kolimbari, Chania, Crete.

The Monastery Gonias

Kolimbari

The original Monastery, still present as the cemetery today, originates from the 13th century. The present buildings date from 1618-34 and are in full use and are well maintained. The history is rich in adversity, having survived six great catastrophies inflicted by invaders - the last being the German forces in WWII and is well worth a visit. Visitors are welcome during opening hours but do remember: Shorts are not welcome and photographs inside banned.

A few hundred metres further on towards Afrata stands the Ecclesiastical Academy.

The Ecclesiastical Academy of Crete Greek Orthodox Ecclesiastical Academy, Gonias Monastery, Kolimbari. Chania, Crete.
The academy, also welcomes visitors during opening hours. If you have reached the monastery add a visit, its well worth the time and only a few hundred metres further on is a very popular rocky cove - originally for the monks, where an enjoyable swim can be had in peaceful surroundings.

If you are interested in learning a little more about the Monastery or the Academy take the short tour from their own booklet.

The Rodopos Peninsula is a narrow and mostly remote mountain. Rising to 762 metres (2476ft). The road from Kolimbari leads past the monastery and along the coast, winding above the edge of the sea and climbing upwards up the lower northern slopes of the mountainside to the village of Afrata.

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