map of Crete The Aradena Gorge is situated in the south west of Crete in the Sfakia area close to the coastal village of Loutro and the mountain village of Anopolis. From Anopolis the road leads to the Aradena Gorge with its iron bridge hanging over it. Close to the bridge there are several paths leading you downstairs, giving you the opportunity to make a walk in the gorge, which leads from the village of Aradena and the White mountains all the way to the sea (about 7 kilometer) where it ends at the sea of Marmara, a small beach near Loutro. Immediately after the bridge on the right side there is the small and almost abandoned settlement of Aradena with a small Byzantine chapel. This chapel dates from the 14th century and is dedicated to the Archangel Michael. It contains wall paintings and icons, but as you might have expected: we found it closed, so if you are coming here because you want to admire these beautiful wall paintings and icons than there is a big chance that you are going to be disappointed. The steel bridge dates back to 1986 and was a gift to the nearby village of Agios Ioannis of four brothers from a rich (oil) family who come from the region. Sometimes you can bungee jump from the bridge.

Since 1947 no one lives in the village of Aradena after two boys in the village had a fight over a goat bell, which ultimately resulted in a vendetta and the death of nearly all residents. The few people who survived moved to nearby Anopolis. Gradually there are a number of descendants that claim their old property back with the aim to move back to Aradena. At the edge of the village at the end of the bridge there is a small kantina where you can get something to drink. The entrance to the abandoned village is free, but it might not be instantly clear where the entrance is (walk along the kantina and go in a straight line - not to the left or the right - there is some sort of gate that you have to push open).

Aradena is the site of the ancient Greek city that was called Aradin. It was a settlement in the Roman, Byzantine and Venetian period. Both Anopolis and Aradin were destroyed by the Ottoman Turks. Ruins of the ancient Aradin are to be found near the village of Aradena. The road from Aradena leads on the the mountain village of Agios Ioannis where there are two more Byzantine churches.