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Attali Monastery, also known as Bali Monastery, is situated on the hill of Agia Ypakoi, to the west of Bali, offering stunning sea views and easy access to the main road connecting Rethymnon and Heraklion. Before the highway was built in 1970, the area was quite isolated, allowing monasticism and asceticism to thrive.
This male monastery is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and features a two-level complex. Near the grand entrance, you’ll find the stables, and as you explore further, you’ll come across the old mill, a pottery workshop, a bakery, the monks’ cells, and the refectory adorned with frescoes.
Unlike most Cretan monasteries, the church is situated on the northeast side of the complex and outside it. To protect the monks from frequent pirate attacks, a heavy door was installed to isolate the stairs leading to the temple, creating a fortress-like structure. However, the temple remains outside of this protective barrier.
The Bali area has been significant in local history due to its bay being a crucial point for supplying rebels with ammunition and communication with liberated Greece. The Turks attempted to occupy the area multiple times, causing severe damage to the monastery. Interestingly, there is another monastery named Bali in Sifnos, where it is believed that the monks of Attali transferred the sacred icon of Our Lady to protect it from Turkish hands.
Although one of the lowest peaks in the Talean Mountains of Rethymno, the summit of Apakoui holds great archaeological significance. It is strategically located above Bali, offering unobstructed views of the sea, Pyrovolopetra (the port of ancient Astali), and the plains of North Milopotamos. The name Apakoui is derived from the Virgin Mary Gorgoepikoos, who is said to listen to prayers.
On the summit of Apakoui, you can find scattered broken pottery and the remnants of old walls on a small artificial plateau, which is all that remains of the chapel of Virgin Mary Gorgoepikoos. The church, built during early Christian times, was later destroyed, but its name lives on. A rough wooden cross stands nearby, signifying the area’s sacredness. The chapel was constructed on the site of a former Minoan Peak sanctuary, believed to have been the sanctuary of Astali. On the hill’s north side, a portion of the trail connecting Eleftherna to ancient Astali remains. The east side of Apakoui features a stone fountain that supplies water to Atali Monastery. However, the ascent to the summit is steep, dangerous, and the old path is damaged.
The monastery of St. John is home to the church of Panagia Charakiani, located just off the highway. According to tradition, a shepherd discovered the miraculous icon of Panagia in a cavernous rock (charaki). This icon is kept in the monastery and moved to Charakiani during August. Locals used to stay in reed huts for the first 15 days of August, leading up to the celebration of Panagia on August 15, though this tradition has declined in recent years. To the west of the church, you can find the blazon of the Kallergis family, the most influential Cretan family during the Venetian period.
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Find below the list of hotels near Attali Monastery at Bali:
Set 400 metres from Livadi Beach, Adrianna Villa 4ppl offers an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony and free WiFi.
The villa provides guests with a terrace, mountain views, a seating area, satellite flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, and a private bathroom with walk-in shower and bathrobes. A microwave, a toaster and fridge are also featured, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle.
A continental breakfast is available every morning at Adrianna Villa 4ppl. The restaurant at the accommodation serves Greek cuisine.
At Adrianna Villa 4ppl guests are welcome to take advantage of spa facilities, wellness packages and beauty services.
If you would like to discover the area, snorkelling, hiking and walking tours are possible in the surroundings and the villa can arrange a car rental service.
Bali Beach is 400 metres from Adrianna Villa 4ppl, while Bali Beach North is less than 1 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 52 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
from
€159
/night
Featuring air-conditioned accommodation with a private pool, pool view and a balcony, Adrianna Villa 1 is located in Balíon. There is an on-site restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available.
The villa is equipped with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with mountain views.
The villa offers a continental or vegetarian breakfast.
Staff at Adrianna Villa 1 are available to provide guidance at the 24-hour front desk.
The accommodation offers a range of wellness facilities including a spa facilities, a wellness packages and a beauty services. If you would like to discover the area, snorkelling, hiking and walking tours are possible in the surroundings and Adrianna Villa 1 can arrange a car rental service.
Popular points of interest near the villa include Livadi Beach, Bali Beach and Bali Beach North. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 52 km from Adrianna Villa 1, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Featuring air-conditioned accommodation with a patio, VILLA MERASTRI is located in Vlikhádha. This property offers access to a balcony, darts, free private parking and free WiFi.
The villa with a terrace and sea views features 2 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a fridge, and 2 bathrooms with a walk-in shower. Towels and bed linen are provided in the villa.
The villa offers a picnic area. VILLA MERASTRI has a barbecue and a garden.
Livadi Beach is 1.3 km from the accommodation, while Bali Beach is 1.8 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 51 km from VILLA MERASTRI.
Villa Dimitrios is a property with a private pool, set in Vlikhádha, within just 1.4 km of Livadi Beach and 1.9 km of Bali Beach. It has sea views and free WiFithroughout the property.
The air-conditioned villa consists of 2 bedrooms, a living room, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, and 1 bathroom with a bath and a hair dryer. Towels and bed linen are offered in the villa.
If you would like to discover the area, cycling is possible in the surroundings.
Bali Beach North is 2.4 km from the villa, while Museum of Ancient Eleftherna is 23 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 51 km from Villa Dimitrios.
from
€164
/night
Situated in Vlikhádha, 1.4 km from Livadi Beach and 1.9 km from Bali Beach, Modern family villa Basilicata Salmostro in Bali w/ Pool & BBQ Area offers air conditioning. This villa has a private pool, a garden, barbecue facilities, free WiFi and free private parking.
The villa features 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a balcony with garden views.
The villa offers a children’s playground. Both a bicycle rental service and a car rental service are available at Modern family villa Basilicata Salmostro in Bali w/ Pool & BBQ Area, while cycling can be enjoyed nearby.
Bali Beach North is 2.4 km from the accommodation, while Museum of Ancient Eleftherna is 23 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 51 km from Modern family villa Basilicata Salmostro in Bali w/ Pool & BBQ Area, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Situated in Vlikhádha and only 1.3 km from Livadi Beach, Sea Flower Villa Bali Crete features accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. This villa offers air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony.
The villa features 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
The villa offers a picnic area. A car rental service is available at Sea Flower Villa Bali Crete.
Bali Beach is 1.8 km from the accommodation, while Bali Beach North is 2.3 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 51 km from Sea Flower Villa Bali Crete.
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