Agiofaraggo, Schluchtan der Südküste Kretas in Griechenland
Agiofarago is a narrow gorge on the south coast of Crete, shaped by two streams that meet and flow toward the sea. The path winds through rocky walls past caves and leads to a quiet pebble beach with clear water suitable for swimming.
The gorge has been inhabited since Minoan times, as shown by an ancient tomb dating to around 2000 BC. Later, monks and hermits retreated into the caves and built the church of Saint Anthony, which took its current form in the 14th or 15th century.
The name Agiofarago means Gorge of Saints, referring to hermits who lived in caves and devoted themselves to spiritual life in this remote area. The small church of Saint Anthony and the ancient Minoan tomb nearby show how this place has connected people to the landscape for thousands of years.
You can reach the area on foot from the parking area to the beach in about 25 to 35 minutes on a well-marked path, or arrive by boat from nearby ports like Matala or Agia Galini. Bring plenty of water and sturdy shoes, as there are no shops or cafes nearby and the paths are rocky.
One striking feature is that hermits once lived in the caves at different times and met only once a year at a large cave called Goumenospilios to remember those who had died. This tradition of their hermitic community has survived in local stories and memories.
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