Sights - Chania Prefecture - Akrotiri |
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Agios Antonios |
From
the parking ground outside Gouvernetou Monastery and to the left of the
path towards Katholiko Monastery, there is another and considerably
smaller path leading to the closed down Agios Antonios monastery, which
was abandoned at the end of the 19th century.
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Even
before you reaches the ruins of the monastery, you sense how
well-organised
it must have functioned, as the numerous terraces in the terrain still
exist, where vine, grain, leguminous plants, carobs and of course olives
have been cultivated.
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On July the 16th 1889 the Turks attacked the monastery and stole everything of value. This became subsequently the end of the life of the monastery. In the years 1905-15 Gouvernetou Monastery tried to re-establish the Agios Antonios monastery but did not succeed. | ||||
Agios Antonios |
View from the church |
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came from Egypt, where he lived at the end of the 3rd century. When he at the age of 18 lost his parents, he took care of his sister until she was married. Then he set out into the dessert and lived as an ascetic. His exemplary life set a good example for other ascetics. He is one of the founders of monastery life and his memory is celebrated on January 17th. | ||||