south of Asterousia, at the exit of the gorge “Kataraktis”, a few meters from the homonymous beach. It will take you about 2.5 hours to reach the monastery from Heraklion (80 km, including 24 km on a dirt road from the village of Sternes). Access is difficult and driving requires a lot of attention.

It is not known whether the monastery was founded until the end of the 19th century.

In 1940 the Germans attempted to turn the Koudoumas Monastery into an outpost. When a German soldier fired at the icon of Hypapante, the bullet ricocheted, which was considered a miracle, and the Germans abandoned the monastery.

The monastery is one of the largest pilgrimages in the prefecture of Heraklion. Both the temple and the monks’ cells are built in cavernous cavities. Dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the monastery celebrates on 15 August, but it also celebrates on 10 July, in honour of the monks Evmenios and Parthenios, who re-founded and restored the monastery in 1870. Both the church and the monks’ cells are built in cavernous cavities. A 14th century frescoed section of the original nave survives, incorporated into the eastern nave of the newer church. The icon of Panagia of Kykkos or Panagia Dexokratousa, which comes from the konak of Ali Pasha in Ioannina, and the miraculous icon of Hypapante in a chapel are also preserved.

The name Koudoumas is thought to have come from the founder of the monastery, who bore the surname Cudhumano. Others, it is associated with the koudumalia plant, which resembles the wild-pear tree, thrives in mountainous Crete and yields delicious, small fruits.