Areti Monastery in Karydi

The Holy Trinity Monastery of Areti is situated near the village of Karydi (close to Neapolis) in the dry and secluded region of Mirabello province. Along with the neighboring Kardamoutsa monastery, these were the principal monasteries of an area that holds more monasteries than anywhere else in Crete. In fact, it once managed to acquire seven other monasteries within the region. After being in ruins for many years, it has recently been restored and is now inhabited by monks.

Areti is one of the fortified monasteries of Crete, so the walls and the gate matter as much as the churches inside them. A founding legend about buried treasure is attached to the site, and it is told below.

A fortified monastery

From a distance, the monastery appears like a fortress, as part of it is fortified, making it one of the five most important fortified monasteries in Crete. At its entrance, there is a gallery that leads to large vaulted storage rooms, the barn, and the main gate of the courtyard. Within the main courtyard, there are tanks and several buildings, including cells, a kitchen, bakery, metalwork room, and other rooms. Outside the enclosed area, there are two large open tanks, an olive oil mill, a creamery, and 12 ancient cypress trees symbolizing the 12 Apostles.

The churches of Areti

The main church of the monastery is situated in the center of the enclosure and features a single-spaced barrel-vaulted design with a pointed arch doorway. The bell is inscribed with the date 1618. Additionally, there is a second Venetian temple dedicated to Saint Lazarus, which likely had a funerary purpose. Lastly, the small chapel of St. Makarios of Egypt was recently founded within a small room.

The legend of the hidden treasure

A legend surrounds the founding of Areti Monastery: During the Venetian Occupation of Crete, a local worked at one of the many Venetian ports on the island and became close with some Venetians. One of them invited him to Venice for his daughter’s wedding. While there, he overheard guests discussing his homeland, Crete. Unaware that the Cretan could understand Italian, they plotted to go to the current location of Areti Monastery and unearth a hidden treasure. They also mentioned that the first person to lift the cauldron lid concealing the treasure would die. The Cretan, having heard everything, went to the area and searched for the cauldron. He found it and tied the lid to a donkey, which died upon uncovering the pot. The Cretan became wealthy and, in gratitude to God for his fortune, built the Areti Monastery in this rocky and desolate place.

Things to do near Areti Monastery

Five sites, gorges and beaches lie within 7 km of the monastery, listed below with the nearest first.

1. Walk to Kardamoutsa. The neighbouring monastery stands 0.8 km away, the closest of the Mirabello monasteries to Areti.
2. Take on a gorge. The Kouroukoulos Gorge is 3.7 km from the monastery and the Skotini Gorge 3.9 km.
3. Drop down to the coast. Plaka beach lies 4.3 km away and Tsifliki 4.8 km.
4. Visit Spinalonga. The fortress is 5.4 km from the monastery, with Spinalonga beach at 5.3 km and Kolokytha at 8 km.
5. Spend the evening in Elounda. The town sits 5.9 km from Areti, and its things to do cover the rest of that bay.

Getting to Areti Monastery

Head for the village of Karydi, inland from the Mirabello coast, and the monastery lies beside it. Neapoli is the nearest town, 8.2 km away, and Elounda the nearest resort at 5.9 km. The surrounding country is dry and secluded, so the approach runs through open ground rather than built-up villages.

Two further sites sit within easy reach for a longer round. Ancient Naxos at Oxa is 6.6 km from the monastery and Milatos Cave 9.3 km, while the Armos beaches lie 6.1 km out on the coast.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Areti Monastery?

Areti Monastery is near the village of Karydi, in the Mirabello province of eastern Crete, close to Neapolis. Elounda lies 5.9 km away and Neapoli 8.2 km.

How old is Areti Monastery?

The bell of the main church is inscribed with the date 1618. A second Venetian temple dedicated to Saint Lazarus stands in the complex, and the chapel of St. Makarios of Egypt was founded recently inside a small room.

Is Areti Monastery a fortified monastery?

Yes, Areti is one of the five most important fortified monasteries in Crete. Part of the complex is walled, and from a distance it reads as a fortress. A gallery at the entrance leads to the vaulted storage rooms, the barn and the main gate of the courtyard.

Do monks live at Areti Monastery?

Yes, monks live at Areti again after a recent restoration. The monastery had stood in ruins for many years before that work.

Why are there 12 cypress trees at Areti?

The 12 ancient cypress trees stand for the 12 Apostles. They grow outside the enclosed area, alongside two large open tanks, an olive oil mill and a creamery.