Cultural Tour of Lady of the Angels Monastery and Phalasarna Beach

The monastery is known as Lady of the Angels Monastery of Gonia (Gonia = Corner) due to its location on the western edge-corner of the bay of Chania.

The monastery was founded at this position in the 17th century and soon flourished as a rich monastic tradition was developed in Spatha.

Gonia Monastery played an important role in local history. It has always been a shelter for the rebels of Crete and, thus, it was destroyed many times by the various conquerors.

The complex is surrounded by a tall wall, resembling a Venetian castle. The temple is dedicated to the Virgin Hodhegetria (celebr. 15 August). All around there are several other buildings of the monastery (monk cells, abbey, dining room, stores, cellars, etc.). The monastery also houses the Orthodox Academy of Crete.

Great personalities served as monastery abbots. Among them was Misael Apostolidis, the Greek language teacher of the Greek King Otto and the first rector of the University of Athens.

WAR MEMORIAL FOR GREEK CADETS OF WW2.

The Monument was erected in memory of the Greek Cadets who fell while fighting, against the conquerors in the Battle of Crete in 1941, in a place where the view from Kolimbari to Maleme is breathtaking.

When on April 23, 1941, the capitulation agreement was signed between the government of Greece and the Germans, the Supreme Military Command gave the order, according to which, the Cadets has to perform police duties to maintain order at the entrance of the Germans in Athens.

The Cadets refused to carry out this order and decided to continue the fight against the conquerors in Crete. On the same day, Cadets together with officers of the school arrived at the Holy Monastery of Gonia in Kolymbari, Chania.

Apart from the monument for the battle of Crete, it is the best place in Kolimpari area to listen the sea, to feel the land and the air ... !!! Your gaze is lost and all the senses become one.
Worth it !!!
The entrance to the monument is free.

PORT ON LAND

Falasarna is famous thanks to its beach of exotic beauty. A little further, however, after the reeds, something else is revealed, the ruins of the ancient city with its port. In fact, it was the only "closed" port in Crete with the waters forming a lagoon in which the port was protected. In the Roman years, the inhabitants had also begun to engage in piracy, which eventually caused the intervention of the Romans who in 69 BC. they destroyed the city.

THOUSAND FLOWERS OF THE EARTH.

It is these pink hues of sand from countless broken shells and crystal-clear waters that have made Falasarna famous all over the world.

The award-winning beach is located south of Cape Tigani, 17 km west of Kissamos, and consists of 5 consecutive sandy beaches, the most famous (and largest) of which is Pachia Ammos. On their northern side is ancient Falasarna, one of the most important cities of Crete during the Hellenistic era. The origin of the name is attributed to the nymph Falasarni.

You will have 2 hours at Falasarne Beach to take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the Cretan Sea.

Our journey will end with a traditional meal in a Cretan tavern with a bird's eye view of Falasana.

Return to Chania area, travel time 1 hour.