Gouverneto Monastery, Chania
Gouverneto Monastery or Our Lady of the Angels is a Greek Orthodox monastery on the Akrotiri peninsula of the Chania regional unit of Crete.
Dated to 1537 (although other sources say 1548), Gouverneto Monastery is reputed to be one of the oldest monasteries in Crete, and a 1637 census, recorded shortly before the Turkish invasion, revealed that at the time there were 60 monks living there, making it one of the largest in Crete at the time.
During World War II, the Germans established a guardhouse in the monastery to control the area. Since 2005 it has undergone restoration work by the monks.
The monastery is a Venetian style fortress with towers at each end, and some Baroque influences added later. It measures roughly 40 metres by 50 metres and contains some 50 monks鈥� cells on two floors. Its courtyard is rectangular shaped and is dominated by a dome church with an ornate Venetian fa莽ade; the church is dedicated to the Virgin. The chapel in the courtyard is reported to have some of the oldest frescoes in Crete.
To the west side of the monastery is the narthex, with chapels dedicated to Saint John the Hermit and the Ten Holy Martyrs. There are some notable monsters carved in relief on the front of the church. A cave called Arkouditissa or Arkoudia, is also located in the vicinity. Here the goddess Artemis was once worshiped.
The monastery has strict rules is officially closed on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Dated to 1537 (although other sources say 1548), Gouverneto Monastery is reputed to be one of the oldest monasteries in Crete, and a 1637 census, recorded shortly before the Turkish invasion, revealed that at the time there were 60 monks living there, making it one of the largest in Crete at the time.
During World War II, the Germans established a guardhouse in the monastery to control the area. Since 2005 it has undergone restoration work by the monks.
The monastery is a Venetian style fortress with towers at each end, and some Baroque influences added later. It measures roughly 40 metres by 50 metres and contains some 50 monks鈥� cells on two floors. Its courtyard is rectangular shaped and is dominated by a dome church with an ornate Venetian fa莽ade; the church is dedicated to the Virgin. The chapel in the courtyard is reported to have some of the oldest frescoes in Crete.
To the west side of the monastery is the narthex, with chapels dedicated to Saint John the Hermit and the Ten Holy Martyrs. There are some notable monsters carved in relief on the front of the church. A cave called Arkouditissa or Arkoudia, is also located in the vicinity. Here the goddess Artemis was once worshiped.
The monastery has strict rules is officially closed on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
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Gouverneto Monastery on Map
Sight Name: Gouverneto Monastery
Sight Location: Chania, Greece (See walking tours in Chania)
Sight Type: Religious
Sight Location: Chania, Greece (See walking tours in Chania)
Sight Type: Religious
Walking Tours in Chania, Greece
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Chania Introduction Walking Tour
The Dorians arrived in Crete circa 1100 BC. Before then, there was a Minoan settlement called Kydonia. Its remains was excavated in today's city of Chania.
In 69 BC Roman Consul Caecilius Metellus conquered the city. In 395, the Byzantines took over, replaced by Arabs in 824. The Byzantines returned in 961. Enter the Venetians in 1252. The ever ubiquitous Ottomans took the reins in 1645.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
In 69 BC Roman Consul Caecilius Metellus conquered the city. In 395, the Byzantines took over, replaced by Arabs in 824. The Byzantines returned in 961. Enter the Venetians in 1252. The ever ubiquitous Ottomans took the reins in 1645.
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles