Monk Methodius created Vidiani Monastery in the mid-nineteenth century. The Monastery was set on fire by the Ottomans during the revolution of 1866, but it was quickly restored.
Dorotheus, the abbot, was killed by the Germans for his resistance efforts during the German occupation. Vidiani, like most monasteries in Crete, played a significant part in the independence movement, sheltering and supplying freedom fighters with food and weapons. The monastery’s katholikon is a single-spaced church dedicated to the Life-giving Font with a lovely wood-carved chancel screen. In the Lassithi plateau, among picturesque towns in a landscape that has remained largely intact in recent years, this is one of the most attractive spots. It’s halfway between Agios Nikolaos and Heraklion, and approximately 20 kilometers south of Malia, a popular beach resort.The monastery has been completely rebuilt and is now a male monastery.
Visitors may also look forward to a variety of other cultural and archaeological attractions in the vicinity.
Outside of the town of Ano Kera, there is a Homo Sapiens museum, as well as several churches and vistas. You’ll also travel by the Monastery Panagia Kera Kardiotissa, which is well-known in the area because to a legend about a sacred icon of the Virgin Mary. The cave of Diktaion Andron, located further south, is one of the potential birthplaces of the Greek god Zeus.
This portion of the island of Crete will appeal to nature enthusiasts, and the E4 European long distance path offers a variety of hiking pathways and trails. You may either follow the road from Kastamonitsa to Kato Metochi for a short trek or continue on to Tzermiado village. Selakano woodland, one of the island’s most significant ecosystems and a protected apiculture region, is not to be missed.