Listed 67 sub titles with search on: Places of worship for wider area of: "LASSITHI Prefecture CRETE" .
AGIOS NIKOLAOS (Town) LASSITHI
In the sixteenth century, the Venetians gave the town its current
name, taken from the chapel of Agios Nikolaos on the peninsula of Limena. This
small Byzantine church contains rare frescoes from the eighth, tenth and eleventh
centuries and is a rare example of a Byzantine church built during the troubled
times of the eight century when the Arabs were pressuring the Byzantine empire.
This extract is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
The Byzantine church of the Panagia and Agios Nikolaos is a two-aisled
church in a superb location within the village which has a view of the valleys
below. There is also an old grave in the church.
ARMENI (Village) LEFKI
In the village of Armeni is the Byzantine church of the Panagia with
relief decorations on the door.
AZOKERAMOS (Settlement) ITANOS
Before the entrance to the village there is the Byzantine church of
Agios Ioannis. The church is in the cemetery of the village on the left beside
the road and it has a unique carving above the door.
CHOUMERIAKOS (Village) NEAPOLI
The Byzantine church of the Panagia in Houmeriako has very pleasant
cruciform architecture with a large dome on it. The dome has artistic blind arches
on it and there are also blind arches on the sides of the church. The narthex
at the front of the church has a side door.
CHRISTOS (Settlement) IERAPETRA
Near Males in the village of Christos there are also some interesting
churches, including the small church of Agia Paraskevi located below a spring
in a pleasant setting surrounded by large trees.
EPISKOPI (Settlement) IERAPETRA
The church dates from the twelfth to thirteenth century and it is
a very rare example of architectural decoration. The dome of the church is supported
on a drum which is decorated with nineteen blind arches using tiles. Four windows
open around the drum. The older part of the church is the former domed church
of Agios Georgios, but a later part dedicated to Agios Charalambos has been added.
It is believed that the church of Agios Georgios was associated with the bishopric
church of the Panagia on the other side of the road, and that possibly baptisms
took place there.
This extract is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
EXO MOULIANA (Village) SITIA
The fourteenth century Byzantine church of Afentis Christos (Metamorphosis)
is set picturesquely in the middle of a valley and has interesting, simple, but
sturdy architecture.
FOURNI (Village) NEAPOLI
The fourteenth century Byzantine church of Agios Ioannis Theologos
is three-aisled with the central aisle higher than the other two. An interesting
feature of its architecture is that its width is greater than its length.
In the neighbourhood of Kato Fourni is the church of Agios Georgios
which also contains traces of frescoes and a has relief in stone on the outside.
In the neighbourhood of Kastelli in Fourni is the church of Agii Apostoli
which contains traces of frescoes.
Also in the village is Agios Antonios Church with a very decorative
portal.
KATO EPISKOPI (Settlement) SITIA
There is the eleventh century Byzantine church of Agii Apostoli in
Kato Episkopi. The beautiful cemetery church, which as the name suggests, was
a bishopric church during the second Byzantine period, has an unusual rectangular
shape.
KAVOUSSI (Village) IERAPETRA
There are two Byzantine churches off the main square: the church of
Agios Georgios contains frescoes.
KRITSA (Small town) AGIOS NIKOLAOS
The original aisleless church with cupola was built in the 13th century and it was dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin.
The other aisles were added in the next century and the church was repaired.
Today the church has three aisles and a cupola. The central aisle is decorated with frescoes dating in the 13th century. The side aisles are posterior; the northern is dedicated to St Antonius and the southern to St Anne: both of them were decorated with frescoes in the 14th century. The church's iconographic programs are extremely interesting, starting with the archaic style in the first layer of frescoes and continuing with the Paleologan style in the latter. Works of restoration, consolidation and tidying up are carried out.
The church receives daily many visitors.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains images.
Just before the village of Kritsa there is the famous church of the
Panagia Kera. This thirteenth century Byzantine church which is important because
of its frescoes, has three aisles and a dome construction. Each aisle contains
paintings from a different period, representing a different religious theme. The
central aisle, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin, contains the oldest
paintings which reflect a mixture of styles. The south aisle has the best-preserved
paintings. In contrast to the more stylized paintings of the period, these paintings
display a tenderness and humanity in their rendering of the story of Anna, the
Virgin Mary's mother. The north aisle is dedicated to St. Anthony and has pictures
representing the Second Coming.
Although the Venetians occupied Crete during the period, they allowed the Cretans
to decorate their churches as they desired. The rare fresco techniques used and
the subject matters make the Panagia Kera particularly interesting to visit.
This extract is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
Ιn the Kritsa area is the cemetery church of Agios Ioannis Prodromos
dated 1370.
Agios Georgios containing remains of frescoes of the thirteenth century.
KROUSTAS (Village) AGIOS NIKOLAOS
The church is in an incredible location allowing superb views of the
valley below and Mirabelo Bay. The church has three aisles and dates from the
fourteenth century.
LATSIDA (Village) NEAPOLI
Above Latsida, in a very picturesque setting with a view of the valley
below, is the beautiful Byzantine church of the Panagia of Vigli. The church has
an unusual door decoration, cruciform architecture and interesting wall paintings.
A Venetian fountain is behind the church.
LITHINA (Village) MAKRYS GIALOS
The Byzantine church of Agii Apostoli containing well-preserved frescoes
from 1415 is in the area of Andromili. It is a single-aisled church with a narthex
on the side of the church and at right angles to it.
The Byzantine church of the Panagia in Lithines contains frescoes
which are unfortunately darkened by smoke, but has a collection of good icons.
The Byzantine church of Agios Athanasios has a number of decorative
plates and an inscription stating that it was renovated in 1587. Outside the church
is the tomb of a man named Vlatsos. The church also has an elaborate altar screen.
MESSELERI (Village) IERAPETRA
On a very difficult road is the Byzantine church of the Panagia Kera
Grameni, near the top of a hill, with an exceptional view of the coastline of
south Crete and the plains near Ierapetra. The church has frescoes inside, but
they are not very well-preserved.
NEES MALES (Village) IERAPETRA
The Byzantine church of Agios Georgios is in a charming setting in
a plateau under the village (the old village of Agios Georgios) and contains frescoes
and has interesting exterior decorations on its doors and in the back of the church,
as well as blind arches in the sides.
The church of the Panagia Mesohoritisa is a small single-aisled Byzantine
church within the village and contains two layers of frescoes, the later one dated
1431.
The church of Analipsis, just before you enter the village on the
left, has elaborate external decorations and has a head in relief below the roof.
OROPEDIO LASSITHIOU (Municipality) LASSITHI
At the foot of the mountain in the west side of the Lassithi Plateau
is the relatively new Vidiani Monastery. This monastery dates from 1854, but it
was probably the site of earlier churches as ruins at the entrance indicate.
PANO EPISKOPI (Settlement) SITIA
It is older than the church of Agii Apostoli in Kato Episkopi and
appears to have been a three-aisled basilica originally. It has been renovated
many times and the church has lost its original form. Apparently the renovations
were done by the Venetian bishop, Vidiani.
VOULISMENI (Village) NEAPOLI
The church has good exterior decorations on the back and an interesting
stone altar inside.
ZIROS (Village) LEFKI
The area was occupied by Turks and a plot killed a number of local
men in the church of Agia Paraskevi. The bones of these men are on display in
the same church. Also in Agia Paraskevi is a fresco on the arch above the door
dated 1565.
NEES MALES (Village) IERAPETRA
The church of Agia Triada is below the road near the village.
IERA MONI FANEROMENIS (Monastery) IERAPETRA
Tel: +30 28410 24444
The monastery is perched dramatically on the edge of a canyon. The name of the monastery (Faneromeni, "revealed") was taken from an icon of the Virgin which was found in a small cave beside the church. The frescoes in this small fourteenth century monastery church are dated 1455 and were blackened by smoke when the church was set on fire to by the Turks. There is an inscription commemorating renovations on the monks cells in 1624.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
IERA MONI PANAGIAS EXAKOUSTIS (Monastery) IERAPETRA
Tel: +30 28420 91234
Near the village of Males, on the road as you approach, is the Exakousti
Monastery. The original monastery was very old and a new monastery has taken its
place.
LATSIDA (Village) NEAPOLI
Tel: +30 28410 32338, 32320, 32820
Fax: +30 28410 31344
The abandoned monastery of Agios Georgios Vrahatsiotis is very picturesquely situated on the side of a hill overlooking the valley. The beautiful monastery church has a double aisle with a narthex. It is kept locked. The priest of Vrahatsi has the key but the unusual curved wooden altar screen can be seen from a window in the bell tower (the best view) or from the window in the back of the church. The priest of Vrahatsi is also able to show the visitors some Byzantine icons. The monastery church also has an unusual large Gothic style bell tower in which there is a relief of Agios Georgios with a dragon and an inscription of 1558. The monastery was built during the second Byzantine period and most likely destroyed by the Venetians and rebuilt in 1540. Again in 1770 the Turks destroyed the monastery, but it was rebuilt in 1860.
This extract is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
MESSELERI (Village) IERAPETRA
Tel: +30 28420 22400
Fax: +30 28420 89653
Southeast of the village of Meseleri is the old monastery of the Panagia
Vriomeni surrounded by trees, and strongly resembles the setting of an ancient
Greek temple. Above the entrance door the date 1577 is inscribed. The church also
contains some attractive frescoes
MONI ARETIOU (Monastery) NEAPOLI
Tel: +30 28410 32120
MONI KAPSA (Monastery) MAKRYS GIALOS
Tel: +30 28430 51458
Fax: +30 28430 51458
Between Lithines and Makrigialos there are signs for the Kapsa Monastery.
The sign post at the sea indicates the most scenic route and affords an opportunity
to stop for a swim at one of the many coves. The Kapsa Monastery is 10km from
Makrigialos, about 35km from Ierapetra, on the south coast of Crete.
The fifteenth century monastery is located high on a cliff. The sanctuary of the
church is in a cave with the body of the church extending outwards.
The eccentric monk Gerontoyannis ("Old John") is buried here and the
locals revere him as a saint because he was known to have performed miracles and
cured the sick which lead to streams of visitors to the monastery. These pilgrimages
disturbed the Turkish authorities who arrested Gerontoyannis but later let him
go free. During the last years of his life, Gerontoyannis prayed in a small cave
above the church and the two small hollows on the cave floor were supposedly made
by the holy man's knees as he prayed.
This text is cited Mar 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
MONI KRYSTALENIAS (Monastery) OROPEDIO LASSITHIOU
Tel: +30 28440 22179
Fax: +30 28440 22230
The monastery of Kristalenias is in the west side of the Lassithi Plateau. The original monastery was probably built in the fourteenth century. The Venetians destroyed the monastery themselves and it was later rebuilt when they allowed Lassithi's reoccupation. The monastery was a centre of rebellion during the Turkish occupations and eventually the Turks destroyed it. The present buildings are of recent construction. The monastery provides a good view of the area as it is fifteen metres above the plain on a stone out-cropping.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
it was built in 1541 A.D. at an altitude of 850m at a wooded region with a wonderful view. A religious and cultural center it was of great national and social importance.
MONI TAXIARCHON KREMASTON (Monastery) NEAPOLI
Tel: +30 28410 32405
On the south side of Neapolis, on the road to Vrises, is the Kremasta Monastery. The monastery was built at the end of the sixteenth century and is currently being renovated. The date 1593 appears over the main entrance to the monastery, and the year 1622 in the church. This beautifully situated monastery on the slope of a hill overlooking Neapolis, was occupied by the Turkish administrator of the Lassithi Prefecture, Kostis Pasha, while Neapolis was being built.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
TOPLOU (Settlement) LASSITHI
Tel: +30 28430 61226
Fax: +30 28430 61085
It is a historical monastery
of the 15th century, which collapsed in the earthquake of 1612 and was rebuilt with the financial aid of the Venetians. During the Ottoman
conquest of Crete, the monastery was destroyed and devastated by the Turks. In 1704 the monastery was declared stauropegion. During
the Ottoman occupation there was a school in the monastery, while, after 1870, it was founded there a school of mutual teaching.
The Monastery is enclosed by a fortress.
The main complex of 800 m2 has three floors, which are divided into cells, guest - houses, kitchens, the abbot's residense and warehouses.
The katholicon is a two-aisled church; the northern aisle is dedicated to the Virgin, and the southern posterior aisle, to St John the Theologian.
The monastery' s characteristic bell tower
bears relief crowns and crosses with inscriptions and the date 1558.
The 13th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities carried out works of consolidation and restoration.
In the Monastery, there is also an interesting Museum.
The monastery of Toplou is 16km east of Sitia, on the main road, and
is located on a small plain 160 metres above sea level. Toplou Monastery, or Akrotiriani
Monastery, is an important fortress monastery situated in the eastern part of
Crete. Although it is not known when the monastery started, there are various
documents and seals that point to its existence before the fifteenth century.
Throughout its long history, Toplou has withstood many attacks and occupations
by invading forces. This is partly due to its strategic position. Solidly-built
walls enclosed the monastery. Entry to the interior is through a massive, heavy
door on the western wall. High above the door is the "murderer's hole".
The monks or those who had found refuge inside poured boiling oil or water onto
the heads of the attackers. There was also a cannon to protect the monastery,
hence the name Toplou, Turkish for "with a cannon".
The monastery was a centre for revolutionary meetings and provided shelter for
freedom fighters during the Greek revolution of 1821. As a reprisal, the Turks
hung fourteen monks from the main gate.
During World War II, the monastery was again a place of resistance, this time
against the German forces. The abbot, Gennadios Syllingakis, assisted in the installation
of a wireless transmitter and from here messages were sent to Allied headquarters
in the Middle East. An English officer hid in the monastery and operated the wireless.
When the Germans learned of the activity here, they arrested the abbot and several
monks and later executed them all.
In addition to its noteworthy history, Toplou is famous today for its icon by
Ioannis Kornaros known as "Great Art Thou, O Lord". This depicts sixty-one
scenes from the Orthodox liturgy and dates from 1770. Many other very interesting
Byzantine icons are displayed in the monastery museum.
There is also an important inscription
on the left wall of the entrance to the church which is part of the Arbitration
of Magnesia (132 B.C.) referring to an alliance between Itanos and Ierapytna (see
Itanos). The slab was brought from Itanos for a tomb stone to be used later as
an altar in the small church of Timios Stavros across the road from the monastery.
The Englishman R. Pashley suggested its present position while travelling in Crete
in 1834, having recognised its importance.
The main monastery church is a double-aisled
basilica, consecrated to the Nativity of Our Lady and Agios Ioannis Theologos
(celebrating 8 and 26 September respectively). The church also contains some fourteenth
century frescoes on the north wall and a rare antique carved altar screen.
This text is cited Mar 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
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