Agios Nikolaos monastery, in Zaros

The Monastery of Agios Nikolaos is located at the exit of the Agios Nikolaos / Rouvas Gorge, 3 km north of Zaros, in Crete. It is a historic monastery, whose current form is the result of many interventions and renovations over time.

Architecture and Layout

The original complex consisted of two single-nave churches, Agios Nikolaos and Agia Paraskevi. Agios Nikolaos preserves frescoes from the 14th century, while Agia Paraskevi was restored in the 20th century. Around these older buildings, newer buildings were added in the 19th and 20th centuries. The monastery also includes a large modern church dedicated to the Resurrection of the Lord and Agia Kyriaki.

Historical Overview

The monastery initially functioned as a dependency of the Varsamonero Monastery and is mentioned in a record of 1644. During the Venetian era, it was known as “Agios Nikolaos sta Karopouliana” and had a livestock character. At the end of the 19th century, a group of nuns settled in the monastery and carried out renovation work. Later, the monastery was abandoned and re-inhabited in the 19th century, when it was extensively renovated, except for the church of Agios Nikolaos which was preserved in its original form.

Current Status

Today, the monastery functions as a monastery of the Old Calendarists and houses a small community of monks.

Points of Interest

• The 14th-century frescoes in the church of Agios Nikolaos.
• The cave hermitage of Agios Efthymios, located nearby.
• The tradition that connects the area with the ancient temple of Poseidon.

Information in Points

• Construction Period: 14th century (original churches), with later additions
• Location: Exit of Agios Nikolaos / Rouvas Gorge, 3 km north of Zaros, Crete
• Dimensions: No specific information is available on the dimensions of the monastery
• Historical Significance: Dependency of Varsamonero Monastery, livestock character during the Venetian era, inhabited by nuns and Old Calendarists
• Current Status: Functions as a monastery of the Old Calendarists