The gorge ofAgios Antonios is a small yet magnificent gorge, which begins at Ano Assites. It is 2 kilometres long and the elevation difference between the entrance and the outlet is no more than 200 metres. The whole area round the gorge is of particular natural beauty. The E4 European long distance path runs along the route. In the gorge one can see rare species of flora and fauna, which are protected by European legislation. In particular, there are 80 species of flora, of which 4 are protected, 24 species of fauna, of which 11 are protected, and 16 species of birds, of which 8 are protected. A cave 100 metres deep is also to be found in the area; two bat species nest in it, and they also protected by a European Union Directive. Α chapel of Agios Antonios can be seen at the cave entrance, in the church floor is a small clear glass window. If you get down very close to the window, you can see the bones of around four bodies. Nobody knows who the bones belonged to.
Prinos mountain refuge
Prinos refuge at Prinos on Psiloritis mountain (Ida), is at 1100 metres. It can sleep 25 people, it has cooking facilities, two wood burning stoves for heating and a rainwater tank. Access is through Ano Asites. From there a two kilometre dirt road leads to a place called Melisses and then a one-and-a-half hour walk along a footpath signed with red marks, to the refuge. Prinos hut was built in 1962 and was renovated around 1992. It is run by the mountaineering club of Heraklion. The view from Prinos to the north and east is great.
The refuge is mainly a winter venue, but the walk up is spectacular any time of the year. In summer as it is at a high altitude it is cooler at the top.
For more information about the mountain refuge please contact the mountaineering club. www.interkriti.org/crete/pg/?pg=1110227
AGIOS GEORGIOS MONASTERY GORGOLAINI
The monastery of Saint George Gorgolainis is located at an altitude of 480m, next to Asites, 24km south of Heraklion. It is built at a lush green area with huge platan, cypress and oak trees. Indeed, one platan and one cypress tree inside the complex have been declared as protected natural monuments by law. The monastery, one of the oldest in Crete, has survived from several attacks during the Turkish occupation, as it housed the rebels of the area. Some of them were the chieftains Michael Korakas and Fragias Mastrahas, two very famous heroes throughout Crete. Inside the monastery you will see the statue and the tomb of Mastrahas, who was killed in 1868 while fighting against the Turks in Asites. The monastery reserves the authenticity of the past, as the monks do not use electrical equipment during liturgy. The temple is dedicated to Saint George and is equipped with an artful iconostasis. Despite the fact that the temple is very old, the surrounding monks’ cells are quite new. You will get impressed with the old Venetian fountain, which till 1990 was equipped with an imposing marble lion, which was then stolen.
Ancient Rizinia
Over the hill Patella by Prinias village lies the picturesque chapel of Agios Panteleimon with amazing views towards all directions. It is the site of the Minoan town of Rizinia or Apollonia, which prospered till the Roman period. The excavations of the Italian Archaeological School unearthed a small fort of the 5th century BC with metal weaponry. The excavations revealed two temples of the 7th century BC (one was probably dedicated to Rhea) and a temple dedicated to the Minoan Goddess of Snakes. Among the findings there was a frieze with horsemen, deer and panthers, two seated statues of goddesses and pottery sherds that verify the worship of Athena in the 2nd BC century. Also important for the identification of the city as Rizinia was an inscription found with the letters (I)ZENIA(A), also mentioned on inscriptions at Gortys. Rizinia offered animals for sacrifice to the Ideon Andron every four years.
Agios Charalambos Gorge
The gorge of Saint Charalambos is a small, but beautiful canyon located south of village Ano Asites. It takes its name after the church of Saint Charalambos built below the rock near its entrance. Till the middle of spring, the gorge has water, forcing hikers to traverse (to hike along its walls) and avoid the riverbed. The gorge stream transfers water from the valley east of Prinias village to the gorge of Agios Antonios and lately forms the river Xeropotamos, that ends on the beach of the Pancretan Stadium in Heraklion. Starting from the chapel of Agios Charalambos, located in a huge rock shelter, we descend along the river, where beautiful ponds are formed. Looking up, we see the towering walls with enormous caves. The gorge exit has very narrow passages which in winter forces us to traverse along a trail. In contrast, in summer you can walk in the riverbed, but you should pay attention not to twist your leg.
Michael Archangelos Church
The church of Michael Archangelos is in the location Vlahiana, on the east of the village of Ano Asites. To reach it take the road east from the south entrance of Ano Asites. Continue on the asphalt road all the way until the road changes to a dirt road. Immediately after that, the abandoned houses of Vlahiana appear. Entering the village, going past a new house, you will soon see the church. The two-aisled church has well-executed decorations in relief on the exteriors of the doors, decorative plates (rosettes), and an unusual back window. From the church there is a good view of the valley below.