Elounda Peninsular to Agios Fokus church and return.

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Photo ofElounda Peninsular to Agios Fokus church and return.

Author

Cretan Walker

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Trail stats

Distance: 4.23 mi
Elevation gain: 292 ft
Technical difficulty: Easy
Elevation loss: 292 ft
Max elevation: 302 ft
TrailRank: 33
Min elevation: 43 ft
Trail type: Loop

Moving time: one hour 48 minutes
Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Coordinates: 1201
Uploaded: December 13, 2022
Recorded: December 2022

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near Schísma Eloúndas, Crete (Greece)

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Trail photos

Itinerary description

Easy walk, a very well trampled pathway that is well marked with signposts and markers.
Stopped at the church for a water break and returned back to vehicles.
Church of Saint Luke passed by on the higher road on the way out and lower path taken on the way back.

Waypoints

start

Park in large parking space by the windmills. Start the walk North 200 meters further on to the brown sign post

Turn Right by Signpost

Turn right and follow the roadway to Saint Lukes church

Ruins of Church of the Original church of Agios Fokas

The Arab occupation of Crete was a thorn in Byzantium's side and they had tried and failed on numerous occasions to retake it without success. In 961 the Byzantine General Nikephoros Fokas with the largest seaborne landing until D Day attacked Crete with some 300 ships and 50,000 men and horses. Landing from Almyros bay to here on the Spinalonga beach of Kolokitha where the General himself landed and after fierce fighting after six months swept the Arabs off Crete. In honour of his achievements and to mark their gratitude the Greeks built this temple to remember him. However the positioning of the temple was flawed in that the prevailing south winds and sea the temple was constantly bombarded by the rough elements and although repaired and rebuilt many times they eventually left it and now over half of it is now submerged under the sea. A newer church was erected further north with the same name, which has since been rebuilt over with the church that occupies it now

View of Ruins

Church now mainly underwater. Looting of the stones and general decay has left the ruins in a haphazard condition with no indication of the original layout