Many of you will have seen either from a visit or a photo, the arches in the old monastery at Karydi between Vrysses and Vamos, but did you know that the English poet, artist and travel writer Edward Lear visited the monastery in 1864 while Crete was still under Turkish occupation?
The church is dedicated to St George
The name Karydi comes from the many walnut trees in the area
The church and monastery was originally part of the larger monastery of Agia Triada
When Edward Lear visited in 1864 he was hoping to stay in guest rooms that were let out at the monastery for travellers.
Unfortunately he was not able to as the "Hgoumenos" - Abbot- was not there. It transpired that he was in prison accused with his brother of murdering a Turk. Edward Lear spent the night in Exopoli instead as noted in "Edward Lear The Cretan Journal" This book is not easy to get hold of these days, but pops up on Amazon from time to time. The date on this archway shows that is was erected one year before his visit.
Today Karydi is a place for quiet contemplation. No longer the rich monastery that is was it still owns a lot of land.
The olive mills
The priest in residence told me that they are hoping to put a roof on the old mill to preserve it.
Note the water courses on the walls all leading down to the sterna - collection tank.
You can still see the main building and a large chimney that I suspect must have been the bake house.
Winch for getting water from the sterna
Another water course that goes down the wall, through a step and out to a basin on the outside of the steps
Peaceful - just the sound of the cicadas
Steps worn by many years of feet treading up and down
Many arches
Quiet corners to sit and meditate
Photographs by Natasha Peters
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