Aghios Pavlos is an old-Christian chapel, a sample of the Greek cross plan design often used in the 11th century AD. The murals painted on the internal walls date from the 13th century and are preserved exceptionally well. The temple walls contain building material from ancient structures, which is an indication that there used to be an ancient temple on the site.
The temple’s history is connected with two Saints: Apostle Paul (=Aghios Pavlos), who is said to have gotten ashore at this bay on his mission to preach the Bible to all nations, and Saint John the Stranger (Ahgios Ioannis Xenos), who built the temple in memory of Apostle Paul’s visit.
Aghios Pavlos beach is ideal for hermits! Not many people go there, as the access is not easy: you have to either hike down from the village of Aghios Ioannis in Anopolis area or the village of Aghia Roumeli, or take a boat from Loutro. There is also a small tavern on the beach that opens during summertime.
We placed this cache on our 5-hour hiking from Ahgios Ioannis to Aghia Roumeli. It is a small plastc container wrapped in a plastic bag and contains a logbook and a pencil. It can be combined with GC243B5 and the Balconies Round series if you come hiking from Aghios Ioannis or GCKAA0 if you come from Aghia Roumeli.
Enjoy the wild nature of Crete!