Situated some 26 kilometers far from Chania, at the West and two and half kilometers from Kolymbari is found the Monastery of Panaghia Odigitria, dedicated to Virgin Mary, known as “Moni Gonias” due to its place at the very western end of the bay. It is an ancient monastery, dating back to the 9 th century. Initially it was dedicated to Aghios Georghios (St. George) and was located at Menies, at the Rodopos peninsula, built on the ruins of the ancient temple of Artemis Vritomartis (Diktynna). At its actual place it stands since the early 17 th century, as safety reasons forced the monks to move there. It is since then that it has been dedicated to Panaghia Odigitria.

The monastery has always been a spot of resistance to the various conquerors of Crete; for this reason it has been destroyed several times by the Ottomans; the last time it was during the revolution of 1866. During the World War II it was partly destroyed by the Germans as, once again, it was one of the centers of resistance against the German domination of the island.