Church

Church of Agios Ioannis (Saint Ioannis) in Galata
This is a two-aisled Byzantine church, the architecture of which is quite impressive in the surrounding natural environment of great beauty. The frescoes inside have not survived, while in order to get to the church, you should follow the road that leads from the Galatas village to Arkalohori. It stands on the right side of this main road.

Monastery of Agia Marina (Saint Marina) in Voni
Saint Marina’ s chapel is on the south of the village of Voni. It attracts a large number of believers on July 17 each year, as the memory of St. Marina is associated with curing illnesses and diseases. In the past, the location of the small church was Chosref Aga’s property, who later sold it to John Kaparounakis, resident of Thrapsano. Back then the church was dilapidated and it was not included in the contract of the transaction. So the church was re-built in 1901 by residents of both settlements of Arkalohori and Voni. Today a larger temple and guesthouses have been built next to this first church, for the numerous visitors who arrive on the day that honors St Marina’s memory.

Galata Palace
Galata Minoan Palace, equal to that of Zakros, is situated on a rocky hill in the area of Galatiani Kefala. It is the oldest complex of this kind in Crete which has all the main architectural features of the Minoan palace.

In the 1990s the spade of the archaeologist George Rethymiotaki revealed the palace of six acres, the fourth largest Minoan Palace in Crete, and its city around it. A part of the building complex has been dated as Middle Minoan (1700-1650 BC), while in its integrated form it dates from a later period, the prime period of the new palaces (1650-1600 BC).

A large number of findings, like pots and stone tools, indicate the development of specialized craft in the field of food preparation. The palace next to the holy cave of Arkalohori offers an exceptional view of the sea. In order to visit it you need to contact the Ephorate of Antiquities.