map of Crete The ruins of the Katholiko Monastery date back to the 16th century AD, but in its place there was probably already in the 11th century an older monastery. The Katholiko Monastery is therefore considered to be the oldest monastery in Crete. The Katholiko Monastery was founded by "St. John the Stranger or Hermit", who lived in a cave at the monastery (you walk past it as you step down the stairs of the last stretch of the walk to Katholiko). In the vicinity of the monastery there are even more caves where hermits / monks lived. The rest of the monks lived in so-called cells that are on the complex and which have remained fairly well preserved. There is a bridge that runs over the ravine at which the monastery is located. At the bottom of this bridge were storage rooms. After several attacks by pirates, the monastery was finally abandoned and it decayed.

The Katholiko Monastery is located in the north of the Akrotiri Peninsula, and can be reached via the Souda - Aroni - Airport exit to the Agia Triada Monastery - Gouvernetou Monastery - 15 minute walk to the church / monastery of Arkoudiotissa and the "Bear's cave" - 30 minute walk to Katholiko Monastery. The monastery is situated on a gorge. After this you can still walk to Katholiko beach (15 minutes), which are actually just rocks from where you can go into the sea. Here are the remains of the old port of the Katholiko Monastery. The entire walk from the Gouvernetou Monastery to Katholiko is not too difficult and there are no really bad parts. On the second part from Arkoudiotissa the path is even better, but you have to walk a long way downwards, also via stairs. Only at the last moment you will see the monastery. During hot weather especially the walk back over the mountain can be quite tiresome. Bringing a lot of water on your walk is a must.