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The peninsula of Akrotiri - a photo gallery

The peninsula of Akrotiri, east of Chania has its charms and its horrors. Amongst the charms of Akrotiri are the wild range of hills which run along the northern edge of it, its monasteries (especially Katholiko), several pretty beaches (which are unfortunately a little overrun by the inhabitants of Chania at the weekend) and lots of flowers in the spring. On the ugly side, Akrotiri is home to a number of NATO bases and restricted military areas and subjected to some aircraft noise.

 

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  • View of the White Mountains after a heavy snow fall from the beach of Marathi
  • View of the White Mountains after a heavy snow fall from the beach of Marathi. In the foreground, above the bay ofSouda you can see the Turkish fortress of Aptera.
  • Marathi is located in the bay of Souda and has a really well protected little harbour which is used all year around by fishermen.
  • The cove of Seitan Limania, a true gem on Akrotiri. Unfortunately now on the 'must do' lists so it gets very crowded
  • The cove of Seitan Limania, a true gem on Akrotiri. Unfortunately now on the 'must do' lists so it gets very crowded
  • The cove of Seitan Limania, a true gem on Akrotiri. Unfortunately now on the 'must do' lists so it gets very crowded
  • Agia Triada which was built in the course of the 17th cenrury is the most recent monastery of Akrotiri.
  • Agia Triada which was built in the course of the 17th cenrury is the most recent monastery of Akrotiri.
  • The main entrance of the monastery of Agia Triada
  • The monastery of Gouverneto is located on a ridge to the North of the peninsula of Akrotiri, about 4 km from the monastery of Agia Triada. This is the end of the road and from there you can walk down to the abandoned monastery of Katholiko in around 20 minutes.
  • The cave in which St John the Hermit is said to have lived. It is called the Cave of the bear or Arkoudospilios because of the large stalagmite that looks like a crouching bear if you view it from a certain angle. The cave is located close to the path that leads from the monastery of Gouverneto to Katholiko.
  • The monastery of Katholiko was built in the 11th century and abandoned in the 16th century because of continuous attacks by pirates. You have to walk a short while on a good path to get there. It includes a massive bridge spanning a small gorge that leads to the sea.
  • The monastery of Katholiko was abandoned in the 16th century because of continuous attacks by pirates. You have to walk a short while on a good path to get there.
  • The monastery of Katholiko . Note the huge olive tree growing out of the ruined building. It has not been pruned for over a 100 years.
  • Looking through a window at the monastery of Katholiko
  • The monastery of Katholiko . Note the huge olive tree growing out of the ruined building. It has not been pruned for over a 100 years.
  • The small cave chapel of Agios Giorgos is located inside the northern hills of Akrotiri by an abandoned (monastic?) settlement. You can walk to it from Stavros in about 45 minutes.
  • The village of Stavros seen from the path leading to the cave. You can clearly see the bay of Stavros where the beach scenes of the film Alexis Zorba were filmed.
  • The village of Stavros seen from inside the cave that is located on the side of the "Stavros mountain". You can see the peninsula of Rodopou on the horizon.
  • The bay of Stavros has a small harbour consisting of no more than a jetty and a few fishing boats. It is not too well protected from winter storms where large waves can roll into the bay so boats do not stay there permanently.
  • The mountain of Stavros with an ancient quarry in the foreground. This was probably used to provide stone for building the monasteries of Akrotiri.
  • An ancient quarry by the sea in Stavros
  • The mountain of Stavros at sunset with an ancient quarry in the foreground. This was probably used to provide stone for building the monasteries of Akrotiri.
  • The Sunset Canteen on the beach of Stavros (with its owner carrying a tray and wondering who is taking a photo). Located on the long beach of Stavros it is a nice location for watching the sunset and has excellent and varied food.
  • The mountain of Stavros seen from the end of the long beach. Note the steep path to the cave visible as a thin reddish-brown line up the side of the hill.
  • The mountain of Stavros seen from the end of the long beach at sunset time
  • Vineyards along the road to Stavros with the distinctive hills of Akrotiri in the background
  • A small hill range (with a height of up to 526m at Sklopa) runs along the northern end of the peninsula of Akrotiri and is very much part of the views you get when you are on the peninsula. Here is the view on a winter day from my former house (in Kalathas) viewing the western end of the range (which overlooks Stavros).
  • A small hill range (with a height of up to 526m at Sklopa) runs along the northern end of the peninsula of Akrotiri and is very much part of the views you get when you are on the peninsula. Here is the view on a winter day from my former house (in Kalathas) viewing the western end of the range (which overlooks Stavros).
  • Kalathas beach, deserted on a sunny winter day
  • Kalathas beach on a summer Sunday
  • Early summer in Kalathas. A few umbrellas and beach chairs are there but it is comparatively quiet.
  • Three people on Kalathas beach on a sunny day in early spring.
  • An ancient quarry by the sea in Stavros
  • A winter storm in Kalathas
  • The passenger terminal of Chania airport.
Crete photo of the day
Crete Photo of the Day

 

Crete photo of the day
Crete Photo of the Day

 

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