Gouverneto Monastery

is a Greek Orthodox monastery on the Akrotiri peninsula of the Chania. It is located about 30 kilometres from Chania, and is about 5 kilometres north of the Agia Triada Monastery.
Dated to 1537, Gouverneto Monastery is reputed to be one of the oldest monasteries in Crete, and a 1637 census, recorded shortly before the Turkish invasion, revealed that at the time there were 60 monks living there, making it one of the largest in Crete at the time.
During World War II, the Germans established a guardhouse in the monastery to control the area. Since 2005 it has undergone restoration work by the monks. The monastery is a Venetian style fortress with towers at each end, and some Baroque influences added later. It measures roughly 40 metres by 50 metres and contains some 50 monks’ cells on two floors. The chapel in the courtyard is reported to have some of the oldest frescoes in Crete.
To the west side of the monastery there are chape ls dedicated to St. John the Hermit and the Ten Holy Martyrs. 
A cave called Arkouditissa, is also located in the vicinity. Here the goddess Artemis was once worshiped. Don’t forget to visit also “Katholiko” monastery 15min away from Monastery of Gouverneto. A hidden jewel accessible only through a footpath.
(GPS: 35.584341, 24.140143 )