Crete-Discover the Unknown Crete

From Katharo a stony trail (to follow
only in a robust car or on foot) climbs back
down towards the coast in the direction of
Kroustas, initially crossing through desolate
landscapes with strange cumuli of dark
green stones that glitter in the sunlight like
shards of glass. The road follows the course
of an underground river, dry on the surface,
which creates little oases of green amidst the
stones. Along the highest pass there opens
up extraordinary scenery: the simultaneous
vista of the northern coast of Crete looking
towards Europe and of the southern coast
that looks towards Africa at the point at
which the island is narrowest, on one side
the gulf of Mirambelo and on the other the
Libyan Sea. A panorama from which one
understands the wonders of Cretan
geography.
From this point one can continue east
along a road that is asphalted only in parts
towards Kroustas and Kritsa or to Istron on
the coast. Near Kritsa we encounter the
church of Ayios Ioannis Theologos with
three apses and very beautiful iconostasis
while near Kroustas one can visit the small
white church of Ayios Ioannis, decorated
with rare paintings dating from 1347, with
images of severe saints and fathers of the
church.
Ayios Ioannis
and Ayios
Ioannis
Theologos: two
churches with
interesting
frescoes and old
icons
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