The Hermitage of Agios Efthymios is a small cave hermitage located on the eastern slope of the Rouvas / Agios Nikolaos Gorge, approximately 500 meters above the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos in Zaros, Crete.
Description
The hermitage consists of a cave church adorned with frescoes and the saint’s tomb. There are also some unfinished stone structures that were intended to be cells. The courtyard offers a panoramic view of the Zaros Gorge and the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos.
History
Agios Efthymios was a native of the nearby village of Nibritos. Tradition states that he was accidentally killed by the nuns of the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos when they mistook him for an animal while he was wearing an animal skin in the monastery’s gardens.
Significance
The hermitage is a testament to the ascetic tradition in Crete and the importance of the Gafaris Gorge as a place of spiritual retreat. The presence of frescoes and the saint’s tomb highlights its historical and religious significance.
Information in Points
- Construction Period: Unknown, likely dates back to the time of Agios Efthymios
- Location: Eastern slope of Agios Nikolaos . Rouvas Gorge, 500 meters above the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos, Zaros, Crete
- Dimensions: Small cave hermitage with some unfinished stone structures
- Historical Significance: Associated with the ascetic tradition in Crete and the life of Agios Efthymios
- Current Status: Accessible to visitors, but in a state of disrepair
Reviews
The cave chapel of the hermit Efthimios is a scenic hermitage above the Rouvas Gorge and the monastery of Agios Nikolaos. The hike there on a gravel path, high above Zaros, is fun. The chapel itself with a really great view is well worth seeing. The gate on the way there can be opened and is only intended for sheep and goats. The hike there is far too beautiful to go by car!
June 2024
Gigantic cave chapel with views of Zaros and the surrounding mountains. The route up here when the sun is shining in June is not recommended. If you have to, then have enough water and a few oranges. Sturdy shoes recommended. It's worth it.
Gigantic cave chapel with views of Zaros and the surrounding mountains. The route up here when the sun is shining in June is not recommended. If you have to, then have enough water and a few oranges. Sturdy shoes recommended. It's worth it.
During my hike yesterday I saw the striking window arches from the opposite side. This made me want to hike up to the cave church "Agios Efthimios", high up, below the rising mountain range, like a nest of veins in the rock.
I started at Hotel Idi in Zaros.
Just a hundred meters from the hotel I think I'm in a botanical garden. It blooms in so many different ways along the roadsides, on the side slopes and between the olive trees. I keep stopping and trying to capture the beauty.
With Google Maps it is no problem to find the right one with the many branching paths in the olive groves.
You quickly gain altitude and the view down to Zaros, the many mountains and the valleys leading towards the sea becomes more and more impressive. To my side the mountain rises steeply towards the Idi Mountains and Rouvus Forest.
Now at forks in the road you come across signposts that lead to the former hermitage of Agios Efthimios.
The last olive trees are already under me when I see the new chapel "Aγιος Αντώνιος", St. Anthony, reach out. A nice place to rest in the shade and enjoy the view.
Unfortunately, the accommodation room built next door is dilapidated and the concrete ceiling makes a threatening impression.
Then a sheep pasture begins. The gate, which is hung with a chain, can be opened. But shortly before the destination I fear that I will have to turn back when, between the sheep resting peacefully in the shade of rocks and isolated trees, a threateningly barking, black, free-roaming herding dog came towards me.
But he responded to my loud calls and always kept a respectable distance.
Later, when he was behind me, I noticed that as soon as he wasn't barking, he tried to approach. But when I turned around I immediately went back.
He also had respect for stones. When I threw the first one at him he went back to his sheep.
Then I stood at the end of the path. Only a white cross stands on the bordering rocky ridge. Otherwise there is nothing to be seen that points to the chapel. Only when you stand directly at the rock barrier can you see a path leading down into a hole in the rock. A lattice fence blocks access to the sheep, but there is an opening to the side.
Then, like a miracle, the view opens into the depths.
It's like standing on a balcony. Far below the somewhat strange monastery complex of Agios Nikolaos and the hiking trail to the Rouvas Gorge. Very small, almost unrecognizable, are the hikers.
You enter the walled courtyard through an archway. Two doors lead from here into the rising rock face. Through one you enter the small, beautifully furnished cave chapel.
The other leads into a cave chamber with furnishings. Chairs, a bed and two tables are standing around in disarray.
A small bell hangs in the middle of three window arches in the surrounding wall. With three bright chimes I announce my presence here and thank you for the beautiful journey and this special place.
For the way back I look for paths on the satellite view of Google Maps that take me through olive groves directly to the hotel.
A little above the hotel I come across the ruins of a dilapidated mill.
The path can also be reached at Lake Votomos or
Walking time upwards approx. 1½ hours,
downwards approx. 45 minutes.
I started at Hotel Idi in Zaros.
Just a hundred meters from the hotel I think I'm in a botanical garden. It blooms in so many different ways along the roadsides, on the side slopes and between the olive trees. I keep stopping and trying to capture the beauty.
With Google Maps it is no problem to find the right one with the many branching paths in the olive groves.
You quickly gain altitude and the view down to Zaros, the many mountains and the valleys leading towards the sea becomes more and more impressive. To my side the mountain rises steeply towards the Idi Mountains and Rouvus Forest.
Now at forks in the road you come across signposts that lead to the former hermitage of Agios Efthimios.
The last olive trees are already under me when I see the new chapel "Aγιος Αντώνιος", St. Anthony, reach out. A nice place to rest in the shade and enjoy the view.
Unfortunately, the accommodation room built next door is dilapidated and the concrete ceiling makes a threatening impression.
Then a sheep pasture begins. The gate, which is hung with a chain, can be opened. But shortly before the destination I fear that I will have to turn back when, between the sheep resting peacefully in the shade of rocks and isolated trees, a threateningly barking, black, free-roaming herding dog came towards me.
But he responded to my loud calls and always kept a respectable distance.
Later, when he was behind me, I noticed that as soon as he wasn't barking, he tried to approach. But when I turned around I immediately went back.
He also had respect for stones. When I threw the first one at him he went back to his sheep.
Then I stood at the end of the path. Only a white cross stands on the bordering rocky ridge. Otherwise there is nothing to be seen that points to the chapel. Only when you stand directly at the rock barrier can you see a path leading down into a hole in the rock. A lattice fence blocks access to the sheep, but there is an opening to the side.
Then, like a miracle, the view opens into the depths.
It's like standing on a balcony. Far below the somewhat strange monastery complex of Agios Nikolaos and the hiking trail to the Rouvas Gorge. Very small, almost unrecognizable, are the hikers.
You enter the walled courtyard through an archway. Two doors lead from here into the rising rock face. Through one you enter the small, beautifully furnished cave chapel.
The other leads into a cave chamber with furnishings. Chairs, a bed and two tables are standing around in disarray.
A small bell hangs in the middle of three window arches in the surrounding wall. With three bright chimes I announce my presence here and thank you for the beautiful journey and this special place.
For the way back I look for paths on the satellite view of Google Maps that take me through olive groves directly to the hotel.
A little above the hotel I come across the ruins of a dilapidated mill.
The path can also be reached at Lake Votomos or
Walking time upwards approx. 1½ hours,
downwards approx. 45 minutes.
Die Höhlenkapelle des Eremiten Efthimios ist eine aussichtsreiche Einsiedelei über der Rouvas-Schlucht und dem Kloster Agios Nikolaos. Die Wanderung dorthin auf einem Schotterweg, hoch über Zaros, macht Spaß. Die Kapelle selber mit wirklich tollem Blick ist sehr sehenswert. Das Tor auf dem Weg dahin kann man öffnen, ist nur für die Schafe und Ziegen gedacht. Die Wanderung dahin ist viel zu schön um mit dem Auto hinzufahren!
It is an easy walk up to this hermitage that is in a very spectacular location on an overhang at the entrance of the Rouvas Gorge. The walk first goes through extended olive groves then up to 600m altitude and many endemic species. You pass by the new Chapel of Saint Anthony, wandering goats and sheep.
Sadly a few hundred meters before the top there is an important dump on the steep side of the path with building materials, house appliances, even a baby carriage and whatnot. How can some people possibly do this in a pristine landscape ?
Sadly a few hundred meters before the top there is an important dump on the steep side of the path with building materials, house appliances, even a baby carriage and whatnot. How can some people possibly do this in a pristine landscape ?
With an off-road vehicle you can drive almost to the rock chapel if the gate is open, this was the case for us because there were shepherds on site. I have no idea if the gate is closed whether it can be opened. At least it says on the gate that you should close it again. I wouldn't drive in a normal car, I would hike there instead. Impressive place with magnificent views.
Achtung manchmal sind Hunde auf dem Weg davor die einen nicht so willkommen heißen.
Tanta strada per nulla, cancello serrato anche per andare a piedi gli ultimi 500 metri.
A wonderful, calm and beautiful place! The wild landscape takes you on a journey. The view is excellent. On one side you can see the Asterousia mountains up to the Mesara bay and on the other the Gafaris gorge.
Access
Earth Road
Four wheel car recommended
Also accessible from a path from Agios Nikolaos Monastery.
ReligionInfo
Venetian
Contemporary
Open to Public
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