Caves of Saint John the Hermit

The Cave of Saint John the Hermit is located beside the abandoned Katholiko Monastery in Avlaki Gorge on the Akrotiri Peninsula. The approximately 135-metre-long cave contains impressive stalactites and stalagmites as well as religious features connected with Saint John the Hermit, one of the most important figures in the ascetic tradition of western Crete. A carved underground cistern collected water, while a stone basin deep inside the cave is traditionally associated with the saint's tomb. The cave forms part of the remarkable historic walking route from Gouverneto Monastery through Arkoudospilios to Katholiko.