For example, Agios Nikolaos was Roman Catholic with a bell tower, then Islamic with a minaret, now Orthodox with both (1st below). While the hilltop was badly damaged from bombing, excavations revealed Minoan remains (2nd below).
On our one whole day in Chania we had a hike on the Akrotiri Peninsula (see photos farther below). To start we took the bus to Stavros Beach, walked to the Gouverneto and Triada monasteries, originally established by Catholic monks during Venetian rule. We returned to Chania by walking to the airport to catch the Airport Bus. Whew, a long but rewarding day.
The Old Town is busy in the evenings with folks strolling on the main drag. And later the whole area around the harbour turns into one big seafood restaurant.
The Cozy Old Harbour in daytime and at night.
Here are some photos from our walk which started at Stavros Beach and ended at the airport. Stavros was easy to reach by bus and there was a useful map at the trailhead.
We circled around the big hill, found a spot with a view of the mountains, sat down, and ate our packed breakfast.
As we continued following the red trail markers we were happy to come across many dragon lilies, some of which had been "trimmed"by goats.
After ascending through a gully (1st and 2nd below), and continuing on a pleasant downhill (3rd), we turned sharply right, leaving the trail, and bushwacking (4th) up past the abandoned Monastery of St. Anthony (5th) to the Gouverneto Monastery (6th below).
The Gouverneto Monastery was very beautiful. And the faces in 3D relief near the entrance were amazing.
After passing more dragon lilies and a vineyard or two, the airport was in view. And a few kilometers later we were on the Airport Bus back to Chania.
A few more views of the old Venetian Harbour. The lighthouse (1st below) and the Arsenali (Shipyards) second.
Bonus panorama of the Old Harbour.
No comments:
Post a Comment