Monastery of Agia Triada Dzagorolon (Monastery of the Holy Trinity). Calm day – Agia Triada and Stavros Beach Agia Triada

Geography

Agia Triada is located in the southern part of Crete, 30-40 meters above sea level. Located 4 km from Festos, in the western part of the Mesara valley. Agia Triada does not have a palace complex, typical of many cities of Minoan Crete. However, there was a very prosperous city here, and also, possibly, the villa of one of the rulers of Crete. After the disaster that led to death Minoan civilization(1450 BC), the city was rebuilt and remained inhabited until the 2nd century. BC e. . Later, during Roman rule, a villa was built here. Nearby there are two churches - the Holy Trinity and St. George, built during the Venetian period; abandoned village of Agia Triada, destroyed by the Turks in 1897.

Archeology

The first excavations in Agia Triada were carried out by the famous English archaeologist Arthur Evans from 1908 to 1908. A group of Italian specialists worked with Evans - Federico Halberr, Luigi Pernier, Luigi Savignoni, Roberto Paribeni. They discovered a clay sarcophagus decorated with scenes of the so-called “meal of the dead” - a Minoan funeral rite.

Agia Triada includes a city and a miniature "palace"; the ancient drainage system associated with them; as well as early Minoan tombs - tholos. The settlement was used for various purposes from the First Early Minoan to the end of the First Late Minoan period.

Excavations at Agia Triada have uncovered the largest number of Linear A tablets of any archaeological expedition on Crete. Other important finds include the “Royal Cup,” “Vase with Boxers,” and “Vase with Reapers.” The famous clay sargophagus found in Agia Triada is currently in archaeological museum Heraklion.

Literature

Swindale, Ian http://www.uk.digiserve.com/mentor/minoan/agtriada.htm Retrieved 20 January

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See what "Agia Triada" is in other dictionaries:

Agia Triada- (Hagia Triada), a Minoan palace in southern Crete 2 miles (3.22 km) west of Phaistos. Apparently replaced the latter as the royal residence in 1600 BC. and existed during two centuries of the Late Minoan I period. small town … Archaeological Dictionary

Agia Triada- one of the residences of the Cretan kings near Festus, to the south. coast of Crete. Save ruins of the Minoans palace, that is. wall fragments frescoes The palace was built in the 1st half. 16th century BC, destroyed at the same time. with Knossos... Ancient world. encyclopedic Dictionary

Agia Triada- (modern Greek Hagia Triada holy trinity), one of the residences of the Cretan kings near Festus, to the south. coast of Crete. The ruins of a Minoan palace and significant fragments of wall frescoes have been preserved. The palace was built in the 1st half. 16th century BC uh...... Dictionary of Antiquity

This term has other meanings, see Fest. Palace complex in Festus Festus, (Greek ... Wikipedia

It existed in the 2nd millennium BC, with its center on the island of Crete. The first great civilization on European soil, the forerunner of culture ancient Greece. Crete is located in the Mediterranean Sea 100 km south of mainland Greece. It's narrow... Collier's Encyclopedia

Hall XIV. Showcase 171. Sarcophagus from Agia Triada

In the center of the hall is exhibited the famous stone sarcophagus from Agia Triada, the paintings on the sides of which depict scenes of sacrifice and worship.

Sarcophagus from Agia Triada (Agia Triada)

This is one of the most famous and remarkable monuments of Minoan art. A poros sarcophagus in the shape of a tomb, completely covered with painted plaster, was found in a burial near a villa in Agia Triada. Since its rich decoration stands out among similar larnacas, it can be assumed that it belonged to a wealthy aristocrat. Dates from the 14th century. BC. The painting has survived in fragments and has been greatly restored. According to researchers (Matz, Andreev), the scenes depicted can be divided into two groups: the real and the mythological, and for contemporaries, obviously, these two spheres do not have a clear boundary and interact with each other.

Western side of the sarcophagus - scene of sacrifice

The fresco is divided into three parts. In the central one, on a white background, there is a table with a tied victim - a bull - and a man in women's clothing standing behind the table, who plays a double flute. Two wild goats lay down under the table, and to their right was a sacrificial vessel containing the collected blood of a bull.

On the left, on a yellow background, the priestess lays her hands on the victim, two women behind her are called upon to represent the procession. This fragment has not been restored.

On the right, against a black night background, another priestess in a sheepskin skirt makes a bloodless sacrifice on an altar in front of a sanctuary with double horns and a sacred tree. A jug of libations and a basket of fruit are shown nearby. The column behind the altar is topped with a labrys - a ritual double ax, a symbol of possible rebirth through death. A black bird sits on the ax - the embodiment of the soul of the deceased.

Spirals and rosettes of the decorative zone of the sarcophagus East side sarcophagus - offering gifts to the deceased

From left to right:

The scene is on a white background - a priestess pours the collected blood of a sacrificial bull from a vessel into a crater standing between two sacred axes. Birds sit on the labrys - the embodiment of the souls of the dead. Behind the priestess, another woman carries two vessels on a “yoke”. A man in women's clothing accompanies the process by playing a seven-string lyre.

The central scene against a dark background is of three men in sheepskin skirts carrying funeral gifts: two calves and a model of a ship.

The third fragment on a white background is a deceased (possibly deified)) in a long (female) robe present at a funeral sacrifice at his grave.

Paintings on the ends of the sarcophagus

Formerly the capital of the Turks. Its old part is very interesting and has preserved many historical buildings.

In order to have time to see the city and some of its surroundings, we decided to stay in Chania for the night. It turned out to be not difficult to do, even with our non-spoken English. 35 euros and we have at our disposal a simple but clean room-apartment with everything you need, namely a small kitchen with dishes, a separate bathroom and a spacious balcony, and not far from the center.

We sat out the afternoon sun in the serene Stavros Bay on the Akrotiri Peninsula, swimming and collecting shells, and in the evening we returned back to the city. Bus station Chania - This the only place on Crete where turmoil reigns. Passengers rush around the small area among the buses, looking for their one to board. All this is aggravated by the delay of arrival and departure, and, when multiplied by the Babylonian confusion of languages, it is chaos in its purest form.

Not far from the bus station Chania , in the shade of palm trees, there is a square, in the depths of which a public toilet is hidden. In addition to toilets in cafes and restaurants, public toilets in Crete They are available everywhere, they are nominally free, but it is considered good form to leave a small coin on the table at the entrance. So, passing by a couple of times, we observed a group of not-so-old, grimy bruises (one of whom, it seemed, was even wearing a leather jacket!) settled down on a bench in the most shaded part of the square. The phenomenon, it must be said, is not at all characteristic of Crete. Everything fell into place when one of the described comrades, squatting with a bottle of beer in the heat of the moment, spoke louder than usual and we heard that he was speaking Russian... From his speech we could conclude that he was a local criminal authority, but something told me this was nothing more than a beautiful legend.)

So, Chania beautiful.

Old harbor at dusk. Built again by the Venetians, used again by the Turks

Old harbor at dusk. Built again by the Venetians, used again by the Turks

Cafes at the water's edge are never short of visitors

Cafes at the water's edge are never short of visitors

The entrance to the bay is guarded on the left by the Firkas fortress, on the right by the Faros lighthouse

The entrance to the bay is guarded on the left by the Firkas fortress, on the right by the Faros lighthouse

Night view from one of the bastions (Schiavo) of the fortress surrounding the old city

Night view from one of the bastions (Schiavo) of the fortress surrounding the old city

Streets of Chania. It seemed to me that Chania does not fall asleep for a minute. During the day, the city is filled with tourists; at night, local youth relax, walking from club to club; they ride around on their mopeds closer to the morning. We went out for a walk at 6:00, and Greeks, mostly elderly, were already sitting in the pastry shops, drinking coffee, surrounded by the crazy smell of fresh baked goods...

Dawn

The shutters on the windows slowly open

The shutters on the windows slowly open

People appear on the embankment

People appear on the embankment

The main tourist street of Chania - Halidon

The main tourist street of Chania - Halidon

Episcopal Church of the Metropolitan. Oddly enough, it was built with Muslim money

Episcopal Church of the Metropolitan. Oddly enough, it was built with Muslim money

The market is more of a landmark; most organized excursions around the city start from here, guidebooks refer to it, and you can also eat tasty and inexpensive food here

There are many alleys leading off from the harbor that you just want to get lost in.

There are many alleys leading off from the harbor that you just want to get lost in.

View from the Firkas fortress to the lighthouse and harbor

View from the Firkas fortress to the lighthouse and harbor

And this is what built communism looks like

And this is what built communism looks like

Minaret of the Sultan Ibrahim Mosque (another converted church)

Minaret of the Sultan Ibrahim Mosque (another converted church)

Agia Triada

Agia Triada - monastery XVII century on the Akrotiri peninsula.

The monastery is popular among tourists, but getting into it without a car is problematic. Like most monasteries of Crete, it is located away from the central roads. Buses from the bus station Chania they go there twice a day, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, but we were planning to go on Saturday. Considering that the entire peninsula is about ten by ten kilometers, we decided to take a walk. From a place that could be reached by the nearest bus to Agia Triads I only had to walk 5-6 kilometers. This was the minimum plan. The maximum plan was to continue the journey, walk another 4 kilometers to Gouvernetou Monastery, and then a few more kilometers to the abandoned Catholico. Something like 25 kilometers there and back, 5 hours of walking, plus a couple of hours to explore, is quite realistic... Have I already told you about the Cretan sun? .)

We're going, that means we're going. We walk and walk, and all around us are such landscapes. And not a soul.

We're going, that means we're going. We walk and walk, and all around us are such landscapes. And not a soul.

I must say that we are carrying everything we took with us, taken for a two-day trip, and also a tripod and a photo bag; we have already vacated the rented apartment. The Cretan sun in September is not that hot, it can certainly be worse, but for us, who are not accustomed to such activity, it bakes our heads, even through a headscarf. In general, further Agia Triads decided not to go. And then there are the Greek pointers, indicating with an accuracy of 90 degrees. It would be better if they did not exist at all. But we didn't give up. Having changed into appropriate clothes, we look inside:

The monastery is very nice

The monastery is very nice

Entry costs a few euros and is billed as a visit to the museum located on site. There is no dress code; all tourists wear shorts and short skirts.

The monastery owns vast lands, part of which we had the opportunity to explore, trusting the Greek index, and is famous for its oil and wine. Having compared the cultivated spaces around and the number of monks seen on the territory, I came to the conclusion that, without feasible fees at the entrance, such a quantity of olive oil cannot be squeezed out for sale.

On the way back I decided to hitchhike, weighed down language barrier. So, not a single foreigner "pilgrim", driving in his air-conditioned car past a nice young couple, that is, us, standing under the scorching sun on the side of the road, he didn’t even bat an eyelid - man is a wolf to man.

As soon as we got out of the dead-end road to the monastery onto the road, a young sociable Greek picked us up and took us to at its best as intended, for which I thank him very much.

Chania - a complete encyclopedia. All information about the city and region.

The Akrotiri peninsula is small, so the trip around it is not tiring and calm. However, here you can see many interesting places. About some of them in this route!

Let's drive along the peninsula counterclockwise. It should be noted right away that there are military bases in some places on the peninsula, so it’s not possible to drive through everywhere and, for sure, some interesting places have become unavailable. Nevertheless, we move forward. And the first point of our journey is the most unusual beach peninsula.

Devil's Harbor or Risocloco

Risoskloko beach has great amount titles in all languages and is very popular tourist place. This is mainly due to the easy, relatively easy, of course, automobile accessibility, as well as the location relative to Chania, only about 20 kilometers away. A few kilometers from the harbor a rather steep, and I would even say dangerous, descent begins. An unconfident driver will drive very, very slowly... Read about how to get to the bay.

But at the same time, the road to the bay is stunningly beautiful! And there's a parking lot below.

There are a decent number of cars for such a small beach. And this is far from the limit. Of course, you need to understand that, despite the difficulties with the descent, there are a lot of tourists in the bay, especially during the season. When you go down to the parking lot, you will see that same amazing view!

The bay is surrounded high mountains, which do not generally interfere with strong winds blowing from the sea.

The descent to the water in this place is quite steep, so it will take quite a long time. Of course, not nearly as much as in or, but still significant. And then you will have to climb up.

Not the easiest path.

Risoskloko beach is small but sandy. From my point of view, the place is very beautiful, but being on the beach with a large number of people somehow... It’s better to go to more secluded places or to larger beaches. For example, on the same day we will visit the second beach of Stavros. Perfect place.

One last interesting pebble.

In general, Risoscloco beach is very a nice place with wonderful views, I advise you to definitely visit it, but the descent and swimming is at your discretion. Shall we go further?

Monastery of Agia Triada Tsagarolon

Our journey at some point had to move from the east to the west coast of the island. Having ridden a lot and having seen enough oriental beauties over the previous week, we moved to Chania and decided to give ourselves a little rest. Therefore, the next day we went to inspect only the most iconic monastery in the western part of Crete -.

The monastery was founded in the 17th century, that is, much younger than its brothers, however, it is one of the central religious attractions of Crete. It also suffered significantly from the invasion of the Turks, but managed to recover itself and restore its former wealth and collections of books.

Approaching the monastery, you immediately find yourself in front of the monastery tower. Like Agia Trada, it is protected by high and strong walls.

Upon entering the monastery, you will find yourself in a courtyard. The architects of the monastery did their best to make the monastery look original and individual. Along the sides of the courtyard there are paths over which there are arches.

In general, the abundance of arches in the monastery immediately catches your eye. They serve as both decoration and passageways.

Like any active monastery or popular attraction, Agia Triada is lovingly decorated with greenery and flowers. In general, as you may have noticed, the Greeks are very fond of decorating monasteries with plants. This gives life to the stone walls of the monasteries.

A stone staircase leads up from the courtyard to the wall.

It offers views of the monastery church and courtyard.

The monastery and church were built, like many other monasteries and churches in Crete, in the Byzantine style.

In Agia Triada, one of the few monasteries, there is a museum in which rare exhibits collected during the existence of the monastery are exhibited.

The Agia Triada Monastery is quite large and beautiful; you can devote a lot of time to it, walking around the courtyard and the museum. We stayed there for about an hour and a half.

Monastery of Gouverneto

Leaving the monastery, we decided to visit another monastery on the peninsula that day - this. Arriving at the place, we found ourselves at a closed gate. Having found the gate, we walked along the path deeper into the garden. After a while we saw the monastery itself, but everything was closed everywhere, and there was not a single soul around. We walked through the monastery garden and came out on the other side. This is the view of the monastery that opened up to us. Unfortunately, we could not see either the courtyard or the church, which is made in the shape of a cross.

In front of the monastery on the sea side there is a platform with a monument.

And a staircase begins, leading somewhere down.

To be honest, we were very tired from the previous days and simply forgot that by walking along this road we would get to another attraction - the monastery Catholico. We only remembered this in the evening.

Stavros Beach

Having not had a sip, we went to the . When we arrived there, we decided to immediately return home because there were a huge number of people on this beach. We didn’t even get out of the car, so I can only show you this beach on the map. However, we noticed that the beach is sandy and the entrance to the sea is shallow and flat, so it was a large number of children.

Even now you can see how many cars are parked there. But I had one more place booked. Literally next to this beach, which also bore the name Stavros Beach. We went there and were not disappointed. There were much fewer people there. The entrance, however, was much worse, but it was not a problem.

And on this beach we saw how the sea creates unique patterns in the stones with its surf. We have never seen anything like this before!

We had a great swim and relaxation on this beach. In general, this day was somewhat blurry due to the closed monastery and our forgetfulness, but any trip should have days of rest, since the distances on the Akrotiri peninsula allow you to get from Chania to any place in no more than half an hour.