Savvathiana Monastery near Rogdia
Savvathiana Monastery stands in a wooded, well-protected valley near Rogdia, at an altitude of 440 m and about 20 km west of Heraklion city. Savvathiana, also written Savatiana, is one of several monasteries that operated in this region during the Venetian period, before the monasteries of the area were destroyed by the Turks.
Savvathiana works today as a nunnery. The complex holds the icon known as “Great are You, Lord”, a path through dense vegetation up to its gate, and a second church in a cave 200 m away, so a visit takes in both the monastery buildings and the ground around them.
Where Savvathiana Monastery is and how it was sited
Savvathiana Monastery was built on a naturally fortified position 440 m above sea level, inland from the coast near Rogdia. The siting was probably defensive: the monastery predates the Venetian period, and persistent pirate attacks on this stretch of the north coast gave the monks reason to put a ridge between themselves and the sea.
During the Venetian occupation of Crete, Savvathiana was likely the strongest monastery in the area. It outranked the Agia Pelagia Monastery on the north side of Agia Pelagia beach, 3.8 km away, and that monastery later became a dependency of Savatiana.
What you see at the monastery
The monastery complex holds a working set of buildings rather than a single church. A path enveloped in vegetation leads up to the entrance, and the main temple of Savatiano stands inside, dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and the Forty Martyrs. That temple is relatively new, and the monastery has been renovated in recent years while keeping its original style.
The rest of the complex is what makes the visit worthwhile. Inside the walls are the monastery cemetery, the ossuary, a former mill, the visitors’ dining room, the old guest room, the nuns’ cells and the old water tower.
The cave church of St. Anthony
The cavernous church of St. Anthony stands 200 m from the monastery and may once have worked as an independent monastery of its own. A newer aisle inside it is devoted to Saint Savvas. The trail that reaches the church crosses a very old stone bridge, which makes the walk out to it a short piece of the visit rather than a separate trip.
The icon “Great are You, Lord”
Savvathiana houses the ancient icon called “Great are You, Lord”, painted by Ioannis Kornaros. A copy of the same icon is preserved in Toplou Monastery in eastern Crete. The original was thought lost until 1991, when the Archaeological Authorities cleaned a pitch-black icon and the old painting appeared underneath.
People connected with Savvathiana
Two kinds of figure are remembered at Savvathiana: an abbot and two rebels. Maximos Marnounios, a scholar of the Venetian era, served among the monastery’s abbots. The tombs of Evmenios Vourexakis and Iraklis Kokkinidis, two rebels against the Turks, lie at Savatiana.
Getting to Savvathiana Monastery
Reach Savvathiana Monastery through Rogdia, the village the monastery sits behind, roughly 20 km west of Heraklion city. The climb to 440 m means the monastery is inland of the coast road rather than on it. From the same side of the valley, Spiliotissa Gorge starts 1.6 km away, which pairs a short walk with the monastery visit.
What else is nearby
The coast below Rogdia carries a run of small beaches and two more gorges, all within about 5 km of the monastery. They are listed below by distance.
- Spiliotissa Gorge at Rogdia begins 1.6 km from the monastery.
- Paliokastro beach lies 3.2 km away on the coast below.
- Helidoni beach is 3.3 km away.
- Ligaria beach sits 3.4 km out, below the village of Ligaria.
- Santorinios Gorge runs 3.5 km from the monastery.
- Agia Pelagia village is 3.8 km away, and our guide to things to do in Agia Pelagia covers the resort.
- Fraskia beach and Mades beach both lie 3.9 km away, as does Pantanassa beach.
- Kladissos beach is 4.2 km out, and the village of Marathos the same distance inland.
- Psaromoura beach lies 4.5 km away.
- Fodele village stands 4.5 km from the monastery.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Savvathiana Monastery?
Savvathiana Monastery sits near Rogdia, about 20 km west of Heraklion city, at an altitude of 440 m. The monastery stands in a wooded, well-protected valley inland from the north coast.
Is Savvathiana Monastery still active?
Yes, Savvathiana operates as a nunnery. Visitors can see the monastery cemetery, the ossuary, a former mill, the dining room, the old guest room, the nuns’ cells and the old water tower.
What is the “Great are You, Lord” icon?
It is an ancient icon painted by Ioannis Kornaros and kept at Savvathiana. The icon was believed lost until 1991, when the Archaeological Authorities cleaned a pitch-black panel and revealed the old painting. A copy of it is preserved in Toplou Monastery.
What church stands near Savvathiana Monastery?
The cavernous church of St. Anthony stands 200 m from the monastery. It may once have been an independent monastery, it carries a newer aisle dedicated to Saint Savvas, and the trail to it crosses a very old stone bridge.
Who is buried at Savvathiana Monastery?
The tombs of Evmenios Vourexakis and Iraklis Kokkinidis lie at Savatiana. Both were rebels against the Turks. The monastery also has its own cemetery and an ossuary inside the complex.
What is the main church at Savvathiana dedicated to?
The main temple of Savatiano is dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and the Forty Martyrs. That church is relatively new, and the monastery has been renovated in recent years while keeping its original style.
Location
Savvathiana Monastery near Rogdia is located at Savvathiana Monastery near Rogdia, in the Heraklion region of Crete. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
