The 16th-century Moni Gouvernetou, 4km north of Moni Agias Triadas, may date as far back as the 11th century, from a time when an inland sanctuary was an attractive refuge from coastal pirates. The building itself is rather plain, but the church inside has an ornate sculptured Venetian facade. Visitors must park in the car park before the monastery and be dressed respectfully (they do not provide long pants or skirts). Swimming in the cove below is not permitted.
The monastery was attacked and burnt down during the War of Independence but the monks were warned and managed to save the treasures (though not themselves) and shipped them off to Mt Athos in northern Greece. The monastery is now run by a handful of monks from the Holy Mountain who keep a strict regime and have banned tour buses.
