Kaloidena Monastery at Ano Meros

Above the village Ano Meros at north Kedros mount there is the old uninhabited Monastery of Kaloidena with the restored Byzantine temple dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord Christ (Sotiras Cristos) . Today, apart from the church and some deserted monk cells, almost nothing reminds the monastery.

Like most monasteries, Kaloidena is located in a beautiful setting with tall plane trees, lush vegetation, spring water and with spectacular views of Psiloritis Range . The water is said to be one of the coldest around Rethymno prefecture.

A phenomenon that happens in the plane trees of the monastery Kaloidena is the " twinning " of branches: smaller and stronger branches merge with heavier, forming a strong network of branches, supporting the weight of the trees. Around the monastery locals have built stone tables for the two weeks of the Dormition (August 1-15th).

On August 6th, the residents of Ano Meros and Fourfouras meet at the monastery and a local feast takes place after the divine service. The name seems to come from the first owner of the monastery, Kaloidas , as this surname was known to Fourfouras during the Venetian period.