Panagia Odegetria Monastery

Panagia Odegetria Monastery

Art & Culture

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ABOUT

The Holy Monastery of Panagia Odegetria was built in the 16th century around a two-aisled old church, probably of the 14th century, whose southern aisle collapsed and was replaced by a narrower northern aisle.

The Turkish invasion of Crete came as no surprise and so the monastery had been prepared as a defensive area and a wall had been built around it. The Monastery of Apezanon, a few kilometres further to the east, had also been fortified for the same reason.

There were several small springs around the Odegetria Monastery, but the defence complex required an independent water supply, so as to cope in case of a siege. A large cistern was cut into a rock to collect rainwater and a vaulted well was built at the end of the inner courtyard.

Photo: Wikipedia

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see also

Tower of Xopateras

Tower of Xopateras

Within the Holy Monastery of Odigitria, nestled in Asterousia, lies the Xopateras Tower. This structure is associated with Ioannis Markakis, a revered hero who was ordained within the monastery.

During the Greek Revolution of 1821, Ioannis Markakis and fellow fighters sought refuge within the monastery to evade the janissaries. Unfortunately, amidst the Turkish cleansing operations in Asterousia and the siege of the tower, Xopateras met a tragic end.

Cretans have rightfully honoured his life and ultimate sacrifice.

Info: Wikipedia

Heraklion
Ecclesiastical and Folklore Museum of Kalyviani

Ecclesiastical and Folklore Museum of Kalyviani

A haven of devotion, steeped in tradition and culture

The Holy Monastery of Kalyviani hosts an ecclesiastical and folklore museum.

Among other attractions, there are workshops showcasing Cretan folk art.

As per the Region of Crete, the ecclesiastical collection of the museum comprises portable icons from the 18th and 19th centuries, hierarchical vestments, gospels, 19th-century manuscripts, wood-carved objects, and an invaluable wood-carved iconostasis from the 18th century. Additionally, the museum houses a folklore section exhibiting items from popular culture and economy, including agricultural tools and utensils.

Telephone: 28920 22151

Opening times: 09:00-16:00

Photo: juliane33 Via Vista.Create

Heraklion
Agios Antonios Church in Agiofarago
Heraklion
Holy Monastery of Agios Nikolaos of Zaros

Holy Monastery of Agios Nikolaos of Zaros

Located at the southern entrance of Agios Nikolaos Gorge amidst picturesque scenery, you'll find the monastery of Agios Nikolaos, previously affiliated with Valsamonero Monastery.

According to the OrthodoxCrete page, one of the few pieces of information available about the monastery is the brief settlement of a group of nuns in the area towards the end of the 19th century.

The present-day complex comprises primarily of buildings constructed in the 19th and 20th centuries. The sole older section that remains is centred around the original main church, consisting of two single-aisled autonomous churches dating back to the Venetian occupation.

The southern church, smaller in size and dedicated to Agios Nikolaos, boasts partially preserved fresco decorations dating back to the early 14th century. Conversely, the northern church, dedicated to Agia Paraskevi, suffered ruin in the early 20th century but underwent restoration efforts in the 1970s.

Photo: Pecold Via Vista.Create

Heraklion
Varsamonero Monastery
Heraklion
Monastery of Agios Antonios (St Anthony) Vrontisi
Heraklion

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