We live to explore Crete. Follow us!

CRETAZINE

© 2012 CRETAZINE,
All Rights Reserved

All articles and photos published in CRETAZINE is available to visitors strictly for personal use. It is not permissible to reproduce or retransmit in any manner or to any extent whatsoever any part of this web site, with or without editing, without the written permission of the publisher.

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

  • History, religion, natureHistory, religion, nature© Cretazine
Crete as we Live it

Melidoni cave – Arkadi – Patsiano Gorge

The mainland of Rethymno prefecture hides many secrets waiting to be revealed. Before you rush to its southern coast with the beautiful beaches, consider visiting the villages of Mylopotamos first and the scenic Amari valley, enjoying striking views to Psiloritis mountain. The route that follows hides legends and myths, traces of bloody historical events, natural wonders, and centuries-old sacred sites that hosted the different religions that flourished in Crete.

Additional Info

Cretazine Tips

  • The village of Melidoni and the cave were named after Antonios Melidonis, one of the protagonists of the rebellion against the Turks, who originated from the village.
  • The entrance fee to the cave is €3 and it is open to the public from spring to fall. It is always wise to call before you go to make sure it is open: 28340 22650, email: perama1@otenet.gr
  • On the way from Melidoni to the Monastery of Arkadi you will cross many picturesque villages of Mylopotamos region. If you have time make a stop in the village of Margarites or the archaeological site of Eleftherna, where an important necropolis has been excavated. 
  • The Monastery of Arkadi has been characterized as a “European Monument of Freedom” by UNESCO. Furthermore it was a great centre for the copying of manuscripts and produced needlework embroidered with gold during the 17th and 18th centuries.
  • Visit the website of the Monastery: www.arkadimonastery.gr . It has an English section and it will provide you with more information on how to get there and the history of the Monastery. You can also email the monks! 
  • Notice the small details when you cross the gorge of Patsos… delicate wild flowers sprouts from the rocks and cyclamen flowers adorn it in spring. 

 

Published in  Island Routes
More in this category:

 

 

A route full of nature, history and centuries of religious devotion

1st stop: Melidoni cave (aka Gerontospilios)

Melidoni cave is situated about 2km from the village of Melidoni, near Rethymno, in an alitutude of 220m.  You will reach it by following the signs to Perama (about 25km from Rethymno) and Melidoni, from the old national road. 

According to mythology Talos lived here, a prehistoric giant robot that Zeus gave to King Minos as a present to protect the island of Crete by crossing it from side to side with just a few steps! The cave’s history goes back to the late Neolithic period, as indicated by the various Neolithic tools and items found inside it. During the middle Minoan period (2100 – 1600 B.C) the cave was a worship site, probably of some female deity. Among the findings is a double copper axe was found dating back to this period. During the Roman period the cave was used as a sanctuary of “Taleos Hermes” and sacrifices were performed here to honor him. The cave was actually a significant sacred site in the region, as it was situated on the “crossroad” of three great ancient cities: Axos, Eleftherna and Grivilon. 

But when you start descending towards the cave’s interior, your first encounter will be with modern history, surrounded by the cave’s astonishing adornment. The cave houses a small communal tomb, standing witness of a tragic moment in the cave’s history. Back in 1824, when the blood thirsty Houssein Bei camped with his army in Melidoni, he found the village empty.  The men had hidden in the mountains and 370 women and children along with 30 armed men found refuge in the cave. The siege of the cave lasted 3 months and ended with the Turks setting fire in the cave entrance, causing the asphyxiation of all the people inside. When you up in the surface and daylight again, have a drink in the cafeteria of the site and enjoy the view of Psiloritis and the surrounding villages. The people working there might have more interesting stories to tell you!

2nd stop: Arkadi Monastery

This is most probably the most impressive (in terms of architecture) and historic monastery of Crete. Valleys with high pine trees will accompany your route as you approach the monastery, creating a metaphysical atmosphere! And then, as you cross the central gate, one of the most breathtaking architectural monuments of the Cretan Renaissance will unravel before your eyes. No matter how atheist or down to earth you might be, this imposing religious site will make you gaze in awe. 

The Basilica in front of you is a typical example of mannerist architecture that dominated in Venetian Crete and was built somewhere between 1572 and 1587 over an older 13th century temple. The form of its stone-built façade was directly influenced by the work of the famous architects Sebastiano Serlio and Andrea Palladio. The rest of the buildings you see were built later, between 1670 and 1714. The basilica is dedicated to the Transfiguration of Christ and to Saint Constantine and Saint Helen. 

The history and beauty of the Monastery extends to its other interior and exterior spaces. When you go out the courtyard, a strange fairy tale-like tree will catch your attention.  This is actually a cypress tree, one of the oldest trees of the monastery that has been marked by history… find the arrow indicating the bullet shot by the Turks, stuck within the tree’s flesh. Then, continue exploring the other buildings of the Monastery and don’t miss the museum, where some of the Monastery’s relics are held, and of course, the powder magazine

The Basilica of Arkadi is a typical example of mannerist architecture that dominated in Venetian Crete and was directly influenced by the work of the famous architects Sebastiano Serlio and Andrea Palladio

Yes, it sounds weird for a monastery to have a powder magazine, but in reality this was an old wine cellar that was transformed into a powder magazine during the revolution against the Turks. On November 1866 the “Arcadian drama” took place when 259 Cretan rebels and 705 women and children gathered here and were seized by the Turkish army. When it became obvious that they could not win this battle, the people trapped in the powder magazine decided they preferred to die than fall into the hands of the Turkish army. So they blew themselves up, setting fire in the powder magazine, killing many Turks as well. This is how the tragic history of Arkadi was written. The building outside the walls of the monastery, that once was the monastery’s windmill, now houses the bones of those who lost their lives in this holocaust. Today you can still see the signs of fire on the powder magazine’s walls and the destroyed rooftop. The peaceful landscape and monastery from the one side and the overtone of its tragic history on the other… with this contradiction you leave Arkadi behind and you hit the road again to your last stop, the gorge of Patsos. On the road it is easier to follow the signs to the restaurant “drymos” (δρυμός), situated right in the entrance of the gorge, because you will see them more frequently!

3rd stop: Gorge of Patsos (aka Gorge of Agios Antonios)

Ok, time for trekking! The gorge of Patsos, aka the gorge of Agios Antonios, is one of the most beautiful in Crete. Already from its entrance you will find yourself under centuries old plane trees and the calming sounds of running waters. The gorge is home to about 80 flora species and 24 fauna species, many of which are protected. A few meters after you cross the entrance you will meet the chapel of Agios Antonios (St. Antoine), carved into the rocks. Votive offerings hang from the walls, as well as various small objects, such as dolls, letters, clothes and… crutches. These offerings are basically the continuation of ancient religious practices performed in the same place, where god Hermes was worshipped. Excavations around the rock have brought to light anthropomorphic and animal idols (some are kept in the Archeological Museum of Heraklion, and some in the Museum of Oxford), as well as shells from the late Minoan, Hellenistic and Roman periods. Therefore, the sanctity of this site is diachronic and the surrounding landscape just magical...!

Until the chapel and a few meters further the path is easily accessible and very pleasant to walk on. There are several alternative routes you can take, some leading you up in hills for panoramic views. The waters shape small waterfalls and lakes and wild birds fly through the narrow passages of the ravine. The total trail is 5km but it is wiser not to go all the way, because you also have to walk back and take your car. Plus, some parts are not so easy to cross and you might need hiking footwear and some equipment. What we suggest you do is go back to the entrance and enjoy a tasty Cretan meal in the tavern, next to the stream!