St. Nikolaos Church Kotsifos Gorge

Agios Nikolaos is a beautiful little church hidden in a rocky grotto in a narrow passage of the Kotsifos Gorge in the prefecture of Rethymno. The church was erected on the spot of an older but much smaller church that could barely accommodate 5-6 persons. The church has an Altar separated from the main church by a shield, as in the first Christian churches, and is home to the icon of Saint Nicholas. This icon has replaced an older icon that was lost after a battle that took place in the area in the past. The church celebrates its feast on December 6. If you are driving south from Rethymno to Plakias or to the Monastery of Preveli on the southern coast of the region, you can stop here to light up a candle and take some amazing photos of the canyon and of the church itself. It is a very peaceful place worth a visit.