Gonia Monastery, Colimbari of Kissamos-Chania-Crete
Holy Gonia Monastery, Colimbari of Kissamos-Chania-Сrete .
It is very easy to get here from Chania or Platania by car - you just need to drive along the National Highway to the west and follow the signs for Colimbari, and in the village follow the signs "Ortodox" to the monastery. By bus, everything is just as simple - almost all intercity (green) ones go there. Drive about 20 min. You will be dropped off at the bus stop in Kalimbari near the IN supermarket. KA. You will see the pointer "Orthodox" - from it to the monastery 1 km. But! No need to walk along the road and buildings - turn right where possible and go to the embankment! It's worth it - you'll see it....Enjoy the views, the tranquility of this place. We just got into the siesta - not a soul in the area.
The monastery itself will be your lighthouse - it can be seen perfectly from below at the end of the embankment. Intuitively, you will understand that the alley with fir trees that goes up from the embankment is what you need!
And already in the shade, looking at the cocoons hanging on the branches and listening to the bleating of Kri-kri (famous goats), get ready to feel the strength and harmony of the monastery.
Holy Monastery of Lady of the Angels (Gonia) is a very small building, but, like the Swallow's Nest in Crimea, it simply cannot leave the heart calm. Cover your shoulders and legs (head is optional), pay 4 Euros at the entrance, take a booklet and in no case refuse to listen to the explanations of the Greek who escorts you to the territory. He will tell with inspiration about each old icon, robes and writings, point out where the cells of the monks living here at the moment are located. Where there are long white candles - throw a trifle into the slot of the cabinet and take as many candles as you like. You can only put them in one place.
Photography in the courtyard and the church is strictly prohibited.
But I wish you to fix in your memory, perhaps the strongest impression - a breathtaking view of the expanses of the sea and rocks, opening from the back of a small terrace, where a cannonball still sticks out in the wall, preserved from the time of enemy attacks. That is why the monks chose this particular place. Even just to stand there silently for a couple of minutes and feel a huge range of feelings - it's worth getting here!
Our guide kindly pointed us to the "old monastery", which can be reached by stairs through the gate. It offers incredible views of the monastery, the sea and the embankment.
Now I'm very interested to know what's up there! The snake that blocked our path did not react to branches or pebbles ....We decided that it was a “red light” for us, we had to go back.
Naturally, they could not resist the temptation to have a good time in one of the cafes on the embankment, and then swim on the pebble beach. A misted liter bottle of water was served with homemade dry wine - they are prudent. I was pleased with the octopuses waving their tentacles in the wind and the lack of Wi-Fi - nothing distracted from the feeling of euphoria and peace.
We waited a long time back to Pyrgos for the bus... 40 minutes, I think. Back from Colimbari the stop sign is opposite IN. KA clearly at the turn of the road! Let it not confuse - it will stop at the sign. And it is better to wait for the bus not under the scorching sun, but under the canopy of the nearest shop.
P. S. The white candles from the monastery were carefully brought to my mother in Ukraine - they are very fragile.
