Places
Zoodochos Pigi (Life-giving Font) (Kavoussi)
The Byzantine church of the Life-Giving Font dates back to the 14th century. It is a small arch-covered church, though its murals are largely destroyed. Of particular interest are the depictions of the Akathist Hymn.
Church of Agios Nikolaos (St. Nicholas) (Ierapetra)
The arch-covered church of Saint Nicholas was built during the Venetian era, possibly in 1630. The noteworthy 18th-century icon of the Holy Trinity, signed by the painter Georgios Kastrofilakas, is kept in this church.
Church of Metamorfosi Sotiros & Agios Haralampos (Transfiguration of the Redeemer & St. Charalampus) (Ierapetra)
Most likely built between 1150 and 1160, this is the city’s oldest church. It was originally a single-space arch-covered church, but a second aisle, dedicated to Saint Charalampus, was added in the early 17th century. The two-dome narthex is a more recent addition. Its unique wood-carved chancel screen features icons by the famed painter Kastrofilakas, […]
The Church of St. George at Ierapetra
The most important church of the city is the metropolitan church of St. George, who is also the patron saint of Ierapetra due to his wonderworking interventions during the period of Turkish occupation. The church, which is also located in the historical centre of Kato (Lower) Mera, was built in the 19th century in place […]
Church of Agios Georgios and Agios Haralampos (St. George & St. Charalampus) (Episkopi)
The church of Saint George and Saint Charalampus is one of the most important religious monuments in the region of Ierapetra. The 11th century Byzantine bathhouse that originally stood on the site was converted into a church, possibly during the 16th century. Byzantine bathhouses and churches shared many architectural elements, and, as a result, abandoned […]
Evangelismos tis Theotokou (Annunciation of the Virgin Mary) (Gdochia)
The miraculous, according to tradition, church dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary was erected between 1825 and 1835. It features a unique stone belfry that is considered to be one of the most elaborate on Crete.
Church of Kato Panagia (Lower Mother Mary) (Anatoli)
An arch-covered Byzantine church dedicated to the Dormition of Mother Mary. Its striking murals are quite well preserved.
Ecclesiastical Collection of all – Saints at Anatoli
The twin-naved church of All-Saints, which was erected in 1873, is located on the south side of the settlement of Anatoli and in a location with a panoramic view of the plain. A series of three columns divides the two aisles whose roof forms four saucer domes above each one. The collection of ecclesiastical artefacts […]
St. Quiricus (Agios Kirikos or Ai Kirkos) at Lissos
About 3 km west of Sougia the city of Lissos flourished in Hellenistic and Roman years, until the early Byzantine period; there are traces of two basilicas that must have been built in these periods. The church of Mother Mary (Panagia) is built on the ruins of an early Christian basilica. The same is true […]
Churches at Sougia
The presence of at least three early Christian basilicas with exceptional mosaic floors from the 6th century indicates that the city existed during the first Byzantine period. It must have declined after the 7th century, but it is not known whether it was completely deserted. In any case, the church of St. Irene, dating back […]
