Lighthouse of Cape of Agios Ioannis or Aforesmenos

The lighthouse of the Cape of Agios Ioannis or Aforesmenos is located 27 km north of Agios Nikolaos, close to the village of Vrouchas, a wind farm and the church of Agios Ioannis. To access the location you will have to take a dirt road that starts from the wind farm and continue on a short trail. The landscape of the area is the typical rugged landscape of Crete which is characterised by barren mountains, rugged coastlie and lots of wind.

The lighthouse was built in 1864 by the French Lighthouse Company on the spot where once stood a tower. The lighthouse joined the Greek lighthouse network in 1912.

The area has been given the name Aforesmenos, after a legend linked to its constantly turbulent waters. According to the legend, after Caiaphas crucified Jesus Christ, he embarked on a ship heading to Rome in order to meet with Caesar. However, during the journey he died of an infectious disease. As an official, he had to be buried properly. As the ship was approaching Crete, it sailed in the small bay, but the sea suddenly rose up. Nevertheless, the crew managed to get ashore and bury Caiaphas. From this day onwards, the cape was nicknamed Aforesmenos (damned) because there lies he who crucified Christ and the sea is never calm. In fact, several 19th-century nautical guides suggested that it is preferable for captains to navigate a mile off the cape.

The hiking route T3 Faros (lighthouse) Aforesmenos starts from the church of Agios Ioannis and ends in the lighthouse.