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Located on a rocky plateau in the Asterousia Mountains at an altitude of 440m and approximately 63km south of Heraklion, the Monastery of St. Anthony in Apezanes or Apezana is a sight to behold. A short valley from this point leads from the village of Antiskari to the beachfront of Platia Peramata.
To access the monastery, visitors can take a dirt road either from Plora village or via the road that leads to Kala Limania from Pompia. In both instances, signs to Apezanes will be visible.
As a male monastery and one of the oldest in Crete, the Monastery of St. Anthony was built with fortress architecture. However, its fort-like character has undergone significant changes due to early 20th-century alterations. The fort was originally rectangular and formed by the external walls of the complex buildings. It was also protected by three towers with cannons, leading the Turks to call it the Toplou monastery (top = cannon), similar to the Toplou Monastery in Sitia.
The central church, situated on the edge of the building complex, is a three-aisled church constructed on the site of an older St. Anthony church. The three aisles are dedicated to St. Anthony (celebrated January 17), the Transfiguration (August 6), and the Three Hierarchs (January 30). The church’s magnificent carved iconostasis showcases the monastery’s former wealth. One of the icons is believed to be the work of El Greco, the most renowned Greek painter of the Renaissance. Additionally, the monastery houses the icon of St. Anthony, a creation by Michael Damaskinos, the second most famous Cretan religious painter after El Greco.
Next to the church stands the impressive two-story abbey, originally intended to house the Diocese of Arcadia but never did. Surrounding the area, visitors can find the monks’ cells, guest house, refectory, and the 25m deep well that provides water to Apezana. The monastery is home to valuable religious relics such as ancient vestments, gold and silver crosses, gospels, icons, relics of saints, and more.
During the Venetian period, the Abbey was Crete’s largest antipope center. It served as a significant center for literature and theology, but it became a humble rural monastery during the Ottoman Era. A small rural settlement grew alongside the monastery, which is also connected to the founding of Apanosifis Monastery.
Get directions to Apezanes Monastery in Antiskari
Find below the list of hotels near Apezanes Monastery in Antiskari:
Featuring garden views, Haritos Holidays Home offers accommodation with a patio and a coffee machine, around 11 km from Phaistos. This holiday home features a private pool, a garden, barbecue facilities, free WiFi and free private parking.
The holiday home is fitted with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with mountain views.
Museum of Cretan Ethnology is 12 km from the holiday home, while Pankritio Stadium is 49 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 54 km from Haritos Holidays Home.
from
€145
/night
Featuring inner courtyard views, Namaste Family House provides accommodation with a patio and a kettle, around 11 km from Phaistos. It features a garden, a terrace, garden views and free WiFithroughout the property.
The air-conditioned holiday home consists of 2 bedrooms, a living room, a fully equipped kitchen with an oven and a coffee machine, and 1 bathroom with a walk-in shower and a hair dryer. Towels and bed linen are provided in the holiday home.
A a baby safety gate is also available for guests at the holiday home.
Museum of Cretan Ethnology is 11 km from Namaste Family House, while Pankritio Stadium is 49 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 54 km from the accommodation.
from
€74
/night
Boasting mountain views, Kreta House offers accommodation with a balcony and a coffee machine, around 11 km from Phaistos. This property offers access to a terrace and free private parking.
This holiday home has 2 bedrooms, a kitchen with an oven and a microwave, a flat-screen TV, a seating area and 1 bathroom fitted with a shower. Towels and bed linen are offered in the holiday home.
Museum of Cretan Ethnology is 11 km from the holiday home, while Pankritio Stadium is 49 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 54 km from Kreta House.
from
€52
/night
Boasting pool views, Veggera – private swimming pool offers accommodation with a patio and a coffee machine, around 11 km from Phaistos. This villa has a private pool, a garden, barbecue facilities, free WiFi and free private parking.
The villa is fitted with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with mountain views.
A car rental service is available at the villa.
Museum of Cretan Ethnology is 11 km from Veggera – private swimming pool, while Pankritio Stadium is 49 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 54 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Featuring air-conditioned accommodation with a private pool, Villa Belladonna is set in Pómbia. The property was built in 2010 and has accommodation with a balcony.
This villa is equipped with 4 bedrooms, a living room and a fully equipped kitchen with an oven and a toaster. Guests will find a play room, a private bar with music equipment, three flat-screen TVs and a terrace.
The villa offers an outdoor pool with a jetted tub. A barbecue can be found at Villa Belladonna, along with a garden.
Heraklio Town is 44 km from the accommodation, while Balíon is 45 km away. Heraklion International Airport is 46 km from the property.
Boasting sea views, Katerina’s Lux Home offers accommodation with a balcony and a coffee machine, around 1.8 km from Limanaki Beach. This beachfront property offers access to a terrace and free private parking.
With free WiFi, this apartment features a flat-screen TV, a washing machine and a kitchen with an oven and fridge. Towels and bed linen are offered in the apartment.
Guests can also relax in the garden.
Phaistos is 32 km from the apartment, while Museum of Cretan Ethnology is 32 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 69 km from Katerina’s Lux Home.
from
€153
/night
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