Upload your photos for Timios Stavros and share them with us! Press here.
Address:
Κοφινάς 
Telephone:
Places near Timios Stavros
The importance of this site consists in Mount Kofinas providing nesting places for big birds of prey, such as gyps fulvus (the griffon vulture) and, notably of the very rare Gypaetus barbatus. Other interesting birds of prey are present in the site. The area hosts endemic and protected plant species and interesting endemic snails. The existence of a well conserved pinewood and of the Cupressus sempervirens patches is also important.
The whole site is of archaeological importance, with very interesting caves with prehistoric remnants, archaeological relics and temples, Byzantine monasteries etc. Due to its morphology; the whole area of Asterousia mountains is a Natural Beauty Landscape.
The site includes the eastern range of the massif of Asterousia Ori on southern Crete. The marine area covers less than 1% of the site and includes the sandy beach where careta careta, sea turtle, lays its eggs. The coastline is rocky and intended with bays and small capes and numerous caves. Notably, there is a small thicket of Phoenix theophrastii at Agios Nikitas cove (near Achendrias).The marine habitats, posidonia beds and reefs are in excellent condition and monk seals live in the marine caves.
Moni (monastery) Koudouma is a unique opportunity to visit this secluded and virgin area of south Crete. You can do that either from Kapetaniana or from Sternes village. From Kapetaniana you may walk (or drive if you have a genuine 4x4 car) down to Agios Ioannis coastal village (2 hrs). When you get to the village, ask them to show you the way to Agios Ioannis church; it is a church built inside a cave and there are some spectacular wall-paintings
From the village you may follow the path to Koudoumas Monastery (1hr 30 min). Thirty minutes before the monastery there is the cave of Agios Antonios with a church built inside; a torch-light will be useful.
From Koudoumas you may either return the same way or walk up the road (it is the road coming from Sternes) to Mt Kofinas and Kapetaniana (about 4 -5 hrs). This road is much better than the road from Kapetaniana to Agios Ioannis but still in need for a proper vehicle. It is a really scenic route as the road is steeply descending from 1000 m to sea-level, through woods of pine trees.
Another approach to Moni Koudouma is driving from Kapetaniana to Mt Kofinas and then turn the first turn right. If you go this way then you may reach Agios Ioannis by feet. Another great place is Psili Ammos; it is described in the naturism section of the site.
The Asteroussia Mountain range is the southernmost massif of Europe. On the east, its oblong mountainous and semi-mountainous backbone borders the foot of the mountains of Lassithi, while on the west it stretches as far as the Messara Gulf.
The average height of the mountain range is relatively low, compared to the rest of Cretan massifs. Its ridge is adorned by all kinds of differently oriented geological formations, namely small flat areas, ravines and gorges, which make up a wide range of semi-mountainous and mountainous complexes rather than a single and solid massif.GeologyThe rocks of the Asterousia mountains are divided into rocks formed during the last 15 million years (considered young), and older alpine rock formations that constitute the regions substratum. The gently sloping Messara plain was formed when tectonic activity caused the ground here to sink and left the Asterousia mountains protruding. Alternating geological formations create impressive and sudden transitions in the regions morphology and relief, with high elevations, steep gorges, ravines, and gentle valleys. Seasonal streams that sometimes have water form on the hills and mountains of the hinterland. Springs flow primarily in winter and supply inhabitants with water to irrigate their crops throughout the season.ClimateThe region is considered one of the driest in Crete and is influenced by the Mediterranean Sea between Crete and Libya. Winter in the southern parts is almost non-existent, since strong warm winds from the south and southwest blow throughout the season. Snow is rare, even in areas with high altitudes. The Asterousia mountains receive 600-800mm of annual rainfall mainly during the winter months – typical in Mediterranean climates. The high temperatures of summer are moderated by strong north winds that locals call meltemia.VegetationBioclimatically, the Asterousia region falls under the Mediterranean vegetation zone where olive, carob, and holm oak trees thrive. Phrygana and groundcover are the primary vegetation encountered today with a few trees and shrubs, a result of overgrazing in the region. Trees and shrubs of Turkish pine, carob, and cypress can be found in remote areas or on private land where grazing is prohibited. Kofinas peak has the region’s largest forested expanse, a sparse pine forest that reaches an altitude of 1,000m. A palm tree cluster grows above the monastery of Agios Antonios.HabitatsThe Asterousia region has 16 recorded habitat types included in Community Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora and has been listed oin the European NATURA 2000:1. Posidonia beds: The presence of Posidonia plants indicates water of high quality. This habitat type is under priority conservation.2. Reefs3. Vegetated sea cliffs of the Mediterranean coasts with endemic Limonium spp. Sparse vegetation encountered along the most part of the coastal Asterousia region.4. Intermittently flowing Mediterranean rivers: Narrow seasonal streams in the Asterousia mountains where hygrophilous plant species grow.5. Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria (white dunes)6. Thermo-Mediterranean and pre-steppe brush: low formations of Euphorbia dendroides close to cliffs7. Sarcopoterium spinosum phrygana: Phrygana vegetation is common in the Asterousia region.8. Calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation: Limestone slopes found primarily on the south side of the Asterousia mountains.9. Caves not open to the public10. Submerged or partially submerged sea caves11. Cupressus forests (Acero – Cupression): Found mainly on the eastern hills of the Asterousia region.12. Arborescent mattoral with Juniperus spp.13. Southern riparian galleries and thickets (Nerio-Tamariceteae and Securinegion tinctoriae): Dense galleries of oleander and chasteberry growing in the beds of seasonal streams.14. Oleo – Ceratonion woods15. Palm groves of Phoenix: An expanse of Theofrastos palm trees is located on the southern slopes of Mount Kofinas. A habitat type under priority conservation.16. Mediterranean pine forests with endemic Mesogean pines including Pinus mugo and Pinus leukodermis: A forest of Turkish pine at Moni Koudouma covers a large part of the southern slopes.
Sources Text: AGROTOURISTIKI S.A
Asterousia: Indulge in a Cretan pleasure.. Routes to the rough coast on the Libyan Sea lead the visitor through some phenomenal scenery. The Asterousia mountain range and its highest peak, Kofinas (1,232 meters), little known even to Cretans themselves, rise like a natural barrier between the Messara Plain and the Libyan Sea in the southern part of the Iraklio prefecture, on Crete.Overgrazing has left the once tree-covered massif virtually bare, leaving a rough landscape marked with small plateaus, gorges that end at the coast and dozens of caves, all dotted with small settlements and monasteries.Nevertheless, the area has a history that goes back to prehistoric times, with places of interest just waiting to be discovered. On Mount Kofinas, which was the highest location to host a sanctuary from Minoan-era Crete, religious rituals remain strong to this day. The roads wind through the breathtaking landscape, along amazing gorges such as Agiofarago, Martsalo and Tripiti, and continue beneath summits with unlimited views of the sea.A road leads to the entrance of the Agiofarago Gorge, near Odigitria Monastery, an important and historic center of monastic life in the area since the 14th century. The sound of the stream (depending on rainfall) and the bells of the animals grazing in the area accompany visitors on the 20-minute trek toward the sea. Full of caves, the steep banks of the gorge have formed in amazing shapes and colors. The area has been considered a holy site since AD 61, when the ship taking Saint Paul to Rome ran aground close to nearby Kali Limenes. There is in fact a small cave named after him, where he is said to have taught.Enduring dire privation, ascetics have followed in the apostle’s footsteps in the region since the 7th century, living in the caves along the gorge. In one cave, located just a 10-minute walk from the entrance to the gorge, is the wonderful 14th-century Chapel of Aghios Antonios, the altar of which is next to the cells of the last occupants.The gorge ends at a wonderful beach (Agiofarago Beach) with fine sand, small pebbles and crystal-clear waters, seemingly protected by the circle of rocks that rises around it. The rocks bear testimony to the sculpting talent of past visitors or occupants but today are also climbed by sporting enthusiasts. If you are not skilled at either, just lie in the middle of the beach and let yourself be enchanted by Aghiofarago’s magical embrace. The time to do so is before midsummer, when it gets crowded.Near Aghiofarago lies Vathi, one of the most beautiful beaches in the district, reached via a 9-kilometer dirt road that starts next to the Odigitria Monastery. You can also get there by boat from Agia Galini, Kokkinos Pyrgos and Matala.Kommos is another alluring long beach with sand dunes lined by juniper trees, and one of the places where loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) lay their eggs. It was also an early Minoan settlement, to which the archaeological site near the parking lot bears testimony. More public buildings from that period lie next to the beach. There are tavernas above the southern side – with German World War II bunkers below them – from which you can watch the sunset. Again, it gets crowded in the summer months.Matala, a well-known spot popular among the hippy scene of the 1960s and 70s, continues to draw visitors in the summer. It was also an ancient and medieval port. The caves above, which before the hippy set arrived had been used as houses or for burials during antiquity, are now a fenced-off archaeological site.To be sure, the coast also features spots whose aesthetics leave something to be desired, such as the beach at the end of the Tripiti Gorge, which some consider an appropriate place to park their camper vans throughout the year. However, the route from the village of Kapetaniana to the gorge must be one of the most beautiful in Greece. Kapetaniana has several guesthouses and an excellent climbing face.Some kilometers west of Tripiti lie the settlement and gorge of Lentas and the archaeological site of Levin, which has the remains of a temple to Asclepius, the ancient god of healing, and of a therapeutic spa.Across from the Odigitria Monastery is a dirt road that leads toward the Martsalo Gorge. A steep, five-minute descent from the parking area will bring you to the small chapel inside a cave dedicated to the Virgin Mary (Panaghia), which celebrates with a feast day on August 15. The shaded courtyard of the church offers an excellent view of the gorge below.Climbing tipsThe mountain climbs smoothly to 1,000 or so meters from the northern side and precipitates abruptly on the Libyan Sea. The gray colors and the boring landscape are distinctly succeeded by rocks, pines and wild cypress, precipices with the sea at their foot and deep, lush gorges with waterfalls and ponds.The old Monastery of Koudoumas (Moni Koudouma), where you can stay overnight, lies near the coast, at the end of the homonymous gorge on the eastern side of Kofinas and about an hour’s trek from Tris Ekklisies village.The gorge is one of the few in the area that can be negotiated without special equipment (ropes), provided the trekker finds a guide, as the trail, cleared 15 years ago, has been forgotten and nature has reclaimed its rights, eliminating the path’s signs.It was useless anyhow. The wild goats, the eagles and us – two or three lovers of the wilderness – make our way through, trail or no trail.
Login with
Facebook