The monastery is in the south of Asterousia, at the exit of a gorge, and has a beautiful view to the Libyan Sea. To reach it you need to follow a dirt road of 24km and descend from an altitude of 1000m at sea level, through a wild and rocky landscape.

Within its main church, which was dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, part of a wall painting of the 14th century is preserved. This indicates that the monastery was founded during the byzantine period. Due to repeated pirate and sea raids, it was abandoned and reconstructed in 1870 by the monks Parthenios and Eumenios Charitakis.

The rocky landscape and the caves provided the ideal place for the creation of hermit dwellings throughout the centuries. The cave of Agios Antonios and Avakospilios are within walking distance from the monastery, and you can reach them through a path along the sea.

Contact the hospitable brotherhood of monks, if you want to experience the everyday life of a monastery in the south of Crete.