Venetian-era monastery destroyed in 1821. Its history intertwines with Crete's religious traditions and fight for Greek independence.

The Church of Saint Paul, a 13th-century Byzantine church near Kamilari, Crete, features a large narthex and frescoes.

The Agia Anna basilica in Eleutherna offers insights into the city's transformation into a Christian center. Learn about its location, history, and significance.

Agia Eirini and Agios Markos are two archaeological sites in Eleutherna, Crete, featuring Early Christian basilicas.

Agia Eirini Monastery, nestled in the foothills of Psiloritis, Crete, is a historic nunnery with a rich past. Explore its significance and beauty

Agia Paraskevi, a 14th-century Byzantine church near Aitania village in Crete, is adorned with well-preserved frescoes depicting saints like Vlasios, Titus, and John the Theologian, alongside biblical scenes. The church, accessed via a steep dirt road, features a single room and a sanctuary with unique motifs like the Melismos and Christ as the Great High Priest. Frescoes on the north and south walls portray various saints, including military saints, while the arch showcases scenes from the Dodekaorton. Local tradition recounts miraculous healing associated with the church, with a ritual involving holy water from a now-dried spring. Restored in 2003, the church's exterior is simple, with a buttress and a stone table used for bread blessing during festivals.

The Monastery of Agios Antonios in Petali, Crete, is a historic site dating back to the Venetian era. Explore its unique architecture, rich history, and ongoing restoration efforts.

Agios Georgios Xifoforos, a mid-13th-century Byzantine church located near Apodoulou in Crete's Amari region, boasts well-preserved frescoes and a single-aisled, barrel-vaulted architecture. Dedicated to Saint George (Xifoforos), the church exemplifies Byzantine art and religious traditions. Its frescoes offer valuable insights into the cultural and artistic practices of the era. The church's history, potentially linked to a monastery, remains partially unclear. Today, it serves as a place of worship and pilgrimage, open to visitors interested in Byzantine architecture and religious art.

Explore the ruins of the Agios Ioannis in Episkopi of Reethymno in Crete, a testament to the island's rich religious and historical heritage.

Byzantine-era, two-aisled church near the Minoan Palace of Galatas in Crete. Features an arkosolio and possible monastic remains. Frescoes in poor condition.

The Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Zaros is a historic monastery in Crete with 14th-century frescoes and an interesting history.

Agios Panteleimon, a Byzantine church in Crete, showcases 11th-century frescoes and unique architecture.

The Agios Pavlos Monastery is a Venetian-era ruin near Paranymfoi, Crete. Located in the Asterousia Mountains, it once served as a hermitage and monastery. The site features a single-aisled basilica church with traces of frescoes, a carved doorway, and ruins of monks' cells. The monastery, linked to the scholar Iosif Filagris, flourished during the Venetian period but was abandoned in the 20th century. The surrounding area shows signs of inhabitation since antiquity, including possible evidence of an ancient sanctuary. The monastery is accessible by a dirt road from Paranymfoi and is situated above the Porofarago gorge, near the hiking trail to Tries Ekklisies.

Apezana Monastery, located in Crete's Asterousia Mountains, is a 15th-century sanctuary dedicated to Saint Anthony. It features a fortified design, a church with a carved iconostasis, and a rich history intertwined with Cretan resistance and Orthodox faith.

The Episcopal Basilica of Gortyn in Crete was a major religious center during the Early Byzantine period. It features mosaic floors and marble elements.

The Hermitage of Agios Efthymios is a cave hermitage in Crete with frescoes and the saint's tomb, offering a glimpse into the ascetic tradition of the island.

Mikra Episkopi is an abandoned village in Crete, Greece. Once known as the seat of the Diocese of Arcadia, it is now deserted with dilapidated houses and overgrown paths. The village is located 7 km southwest of Arkalochori and 1 km north of Partira. Despite its current state, Mikra Episkopi holds historical significance, particularly due to the ruined church of Sotiras Christos (Savior Christ), a Venetian-era structure built upon the remains of an earlier basilica. The church features a cruciform architectural style with a dome and a narthex, with some walls, columns, and capitals still visible. Additionally, the village has the church of Panagia (Virgin Mary) with Venetian-era frescoes and the ruins of the church of Agios Dimitrios (Saint Demetrius). The population of Mikra Episkopi has dwindled over the centuries, from a mix of Christians and Muslims in the 1800s to becoming completely abandoned in the 1990s. Recent census data shows a slight increase in population, but the village remains largely deserted.

16th-century monastery in Margarites, Crete. Dependency of Karakalou Monastery, Mount Athos. Associated with Saint Gideon. Restored.

Moni Odigitrias, a 14th-century Greek Orthodox monastery nestled in the Asterousia Mountains of Crete, stands as a testament to the island's rich history and resilience. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary "Odigitria" ("She who shows the way"), the monastery has been a place of pilgrimage and refuge for centuries. During the Venetian period, Moni Odigitrias flourished as a center of learning and art. Its walls are adorned with frescoes by renowned Cretan painters, including Angelos Akotantos, who also crafted the monastery's iconic iconostasis. The monastery's collection of valuable icons and manuscripts further reflects its cultural significance. Moni Odigitrias played a pivotal role in the Cretan resistance against the Ottoman Empire. It served as a sanctuary for rebels and a symbol of defiance. The legendary "Xopapas" (Father Ioasaph), a monk turned rebel leader, led the resistance from within the monastery's walls. Today, Moni Odigitrias remains a working monastery, home to a small community of monks. It has undergone extensive restoration and welcomes visitors to explore its historic grounds, including a museum showcasing artifacts from its past. The museum houses a traditional loom, a stone oven, an olive press, and agricultural tools, providing a glimpse into the monastery's self-sufficient lifestyle.

Explore the remnants of the Church of Panagia in the deserted village of Smilés, Crete. Discover its 14th-century frescoes and learn about its historical significance

Panagia Kera Kardiotissa, a 14th-century Byzantine monastery near Agios Thomas in Crete, is dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. Located in a lush landscape at an altitude of 630 meters, the monastery is situated in a place called Mouzouras, next to the Axedianos River. The monastery once housed a miraculous icon of Panagia Kardiotissa, depicting the Virgin Mary holding Christ. The icon's origins are debated, with some attributing it to an Armenian monk named Lazarus and others to the Heraklion painter Andreas Ritzos. The icon's miraculous powers were documented as early as 1415. The monastery became a significant pilgrimage site in 1912 following a vision of the icon of Saint George. It served as a nunnery from 1935 to 1962 and sheltered residents during the German occupation. Today, the renovated site features a centuries-old oak tree, peacocks, and a workshop for traditional weaving.

Former monastery north of Voroi, Crete. Features a double-aisled church with late 14th-century frescoes. Generally closed to the public.

Panagia ton Angelon, a 15th-century Catholic church in Fradio, Crete. Gothic influences and monastery ruins mark this historic site.

14th-century Byzantine church in Margarites, Crete, featuring frescoes from 1383.

The Temple of Sotiras Christos in Eleutherna, Crete, is a dual-church complex with a rich history spanning from the Byzantine to the Venetian eras.

The Basilica of Agios Titos in Gortyna, a 5th-century structure rebuilt in the 6th and 7th centuries, reflects the city's transition from paganism to Christianity.

Discover the Holy Monastery of Agios Georgios Gorgoeleimonos in Crete, a historic site with a rich legacy of resilience, faith, and cultural preservation.

Agios Georgios Epanosifis Monastery: A historic monastery near Heraklion, Crete. A monastery with rich history and spiritual significance.

Monastery of Panagia Kalyviani: A spiritual and charitable center in Crete, known for its social work and Byzantine architecture.

Byzantine church near Varsamonero Monastery, Crete, with 14th-century frescoes and intricate stonework. Active place of worship with annual feast day celebrations.

Explore the historic Varsamonero Monastery in Crete, known for its well-preserved 14th-15th century frescoes and connection to Saint Phanourios.

Moni Vrontisiou, a historic monastery in the Psiloritis Mountains of Crete, dates back to the 9th century. Dedicated to Saint Anthony and the Touching of Thomas, it is known for its architecture and frescoes. The monastery played a role in the Cretan struggle for independence, serving as a refuge for monks and a hub for revolutionary activities. Its fortified walls, two-story main building, and bell tower stand as a testament to its history. The 15th-century marble fountain at the entrance is a highlight, featuring intricate carvings. The main church houses surviving frescoes from the 14th century. Moni Vrontisiou is located 49 kilometers southwest of Heraklion and is open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM with free admission.