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Cape Lithino in South Crete
Prefecture: Heraclion
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Cape Lithino in South Crete
Cape Lithino is located 80km southwest of Heraklion, in the "corner" of Messara plain, and is the southernmost point of Crete.
The highest summit of Lithino is the dry Kefali peak, from where vertical cliffs fall into the see for 391m and continue their vertical route below the sea surface.
The view from Kefali is vertiginous and causes awe to everyone. To get to Kefali peak you have to follow the rough dirt road, 13km long, which starts from Odigitria Monastery and heads west. There are some primitive signs showing the way.On Kefali you will see the ruins of a german military establishment of World War 2, used for controlling all the south coasts of Crete. There is also a small stone church dedicated to the Holy Cross. The coast near Lithino cape is full of caves, that worth being explored.
Places near Cape Lithino in South Crete
Southwest from Matala is an area where other remarkable beaches are located (Vathi, Agiofaraggo), which all have a common trait their wild beauty and crystal clear, blue waters. Martsalo area is another inaccessible bay that can be reached only by foot thgrough Martsalo Gorge.
This is where Apostle Paul has disembarked on his journey to Rome and has preached Christianism for the first time. At the middle of a gorge one can see a church of Saint Mary, nested in a cave, dating from the first Christian years. It is believed that this church was also a catacomb, where Christians were hiding to escape the persecutions of the various occupiers of Crete. Around the church, one can find monk cells carved into the stone and traces of centuries - old buildings.
To get here you should follow the dirt road that starts from Odigitria Monastery and heads to Lithino Cape (follow the dirt road that turn right after the monastery, while the left heads for Agiofarago). After several kilometers you will see a sign to Martsalo. If you follow the poor dirt track, you will find yourself at the beginning of Martsalo Gorge.
You should leave your car near the entrance to the gorge and continue walking southwards for about 2km.The route through the gorge is not particularly difficult.
The gorge, like the rest gorges of the region (e.g. Agiofarago) was and still is a hermitage of the Odigitria Monastery. For this reason, it is considered a site of great religious importance. In the gorge you will see many remnants of the cells, where the monks lived.This gorge is remarkable because of its old troglodytic church (a mass is celebrated every 15th of August). Thanks to the montains all around (which protect the place from the north), and to its south orientation, Martsalo also shelters a thicket of palm trees of the same species than those of Preveli and Vaï. This makes it a quite exceptional place which, from the top of the cliff, somehow looks like an oasis.
This is where Apostle Paul has disembarked on his journey to Rome and has preached Christianism for the first time. At the middle of a gorge one can see a church of Saint Mary, nested in a cave, dating from the first Christian years. It is believed that this church was also a catacomb, where Christians were hiding to escape the persecutions of the various occupiers of Crete. Around the church, one can find monk cells carved into the stone and traces of centuries - old buildings.
To get here you should follow the dirt road that starts from Odigitria Monastery and heads to Lithino Cape (follow the dirt road that turn right after the monastery, while the left heads for Agiofarago). After several kilometers you will see a sign to Martsalo. If you follow the poor dirt track, you will find yourself at the beginning of Martsalo Gorge.
You should leave your car near the entrance to the gorge and continue walking southwards for about 2km.The route through the gorge is not particularly difficult.
The gorge, like the rest gorges of the region (e.g. Agiofarago) was and still is a hermitage of the Odigitria Monastery. For this reason, it is considered a site of great religious importance. In the gorge you will see many remnants of the cells, where the monks lived.This gorge is remarkable because of its old troglodytic church (a mass is celebrated every 15th of August). Thanks to the montains all around (which protect the place from the north), and to its south orientation, Martsalo also shelters a thicket of palm trees of the same species than those of Preveli and Vaï. This makes it a quite exceptional place which, from the top of the cliff, somehow looks like an oasis.
Martsalo Gorge is located in south - central Crete close to Lithino Cape, and is parallel with Agiogarago gorge, just 1-2 km to east. The Martsalo gorge is 2 km long and easy to cross and ends at Martsalo Beach. This is where Apostle Paul has disembarked on his journey to Rome and has preached Christianism for the first time.
To get here you should follow the dirt road that starts from Odigitria Monastery and heads to Lithino Cape (follow the dirt road that turn right after the monastery, while the left heads for Agiofarago gorge). After several kilometers you will see a sign to Martsalo. If you follow the poor dirt track, you will find yourself at the beginning of Martsalo Gorge.
You should leave your car near the entrance to the gorge and continue walking southwards for about 2km.
At the middle of a gorge one can see a church of Saint Mary, nested in a cave, dating from the first Christian years. It is believed that this church was also a catacomb, where Christians were hiding to escape the persecutions of the various occupiers of Crete. Around the church, one can find monk cells carved into the stone and traces of centuries - old buildings..
To get here you should follow the dirt road that starts from Odigitria Monastery and heads to Lithino Cape (follow the dirt road that turn right after the monastery, while the left heads for Agiofarago gorge). After several kilometers you will see a sign to Martsalo. If you follow the poor dirt track, you will find yourself at the beginning of Martsalo Gorge.
You should leave your car near the entrance to the gorge and continue walking southwards for about 2km.
At the middle of a gorge one can see a church of Saint Mary, nested in a cave, dating from the first Christian years. It is believed that this church was also a catacomb, where Christians were hiding to escape the persecutions of the various occupiers of Crete. Around the church, one can find monk cells carved into the stone and traces of centuries - old buildings..
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