At a distance of 20k from Agios Nicolaos, on the road of Agios Nicolaos-Neapolis-Fournis, or coming from the direction of Plaka, one comes across the Monastery of Aretiou. A valley, which is full of cypress, almond and olive trees, hosts this beautiful monastery, which is dedicated to the name of The Holy Trinity. It was built around 1600 by the Governor Marcus Papadopoulos, a resident of Upper Fournis, who donated groves to the extent of 40 "mouzorion (a unit of measurement of that time) to the monastery, the income from which was enough to provide support for twelve nuns. Because of an additional gift from Marcus Papadopoulou, nephew of the first benefactor, the monastery acquired many additional groves, and grew richer with new buildings (cells and guest rooms), the defensive construction of which enabled the monastery to withstand of the trials and tribulations of the times. During the Revolution of 1821, the monastery was burned down, and the Turks killed the Bishop Yoakim. It was the base of the Bishop Petras until 1868, the year in which the "Pasas" (governor) Kostas Adosidis transferred it to Neapolis. The group of buildings has recently been reconstructed, finding again its old appearance, with an architectural form that is in harmony with the surrounding area.
