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Rethymno - Churches

The churches of Rethymno prefecture are considered important attractions for those interested in religious tourism and apart from being current places of worship, are also a living piece of history.

From the Byzantine period onwards, churches and monasteries played an important role performing their work in difficult times for Hellenism.

Most churches outside the city of Rethymnon are built on areas of high ground using the fortified castle’s architecture to protect people from pirates or Turks. All of them were actively involved in the resistance, offering refuge to the besieged, care to the wounded rebels and served as schools for children of nearby villages. Part of their income had been used for the independence struggle and this was the reason of their destruction by the Turks. The efforts to restore monasteries and churches from the 1980s onwards show us their historical significance and turn them into incredibly beautiful places.

The Arkadi Monastery, perhaps the holiest Crete’s freedom symbol, became European Freedom Monument by UNESCO, as the heroic Arkadi Holocaust was the culmination of self-sacrifice in the name of independence.

The monastery of Agia Anastasia Romaia is the first Greek monastery dedicated to the patron saint of the Monastery of Osiou Grigoriou on Mount Athos.

The legends says that in ancient times there was an ancient sanctuary of Dioscuri at the current location of Diskouri monastery, while the Holy Cross, the Crete’s highest spot, maintains the tradition of erecting holy objects on the peaks. The churches in the town of Rethymno, such as the Kyria ton Aggelon, attest the presence of the Venetians in the region, while Agia Varvara and Megali Panagia were built later.

Discover more about churches and monasteries in the pages of Terrabook…

  • Chalepa monastery

    The Chalepa monastery in Rethymno prefecture is located near the villages Tsachiana and Veni, 46 km east of Rethymno, built on a hill with magnificent view

  • Chalevi (Halevi) monastery

    The Chalevi (Halevi) monastery in Rethymno prefecture is located about 12 south of Rethymno, on the way to Chromonastiri and Poussospiti .

  • Monastery of Timiou Stavrou Vosakou (Monastery of Holy Cross in Vosakos)

    The monastery of Timiou Stavrou Vosakou in Rethymno prefecture is located near Doxaros and 50 kilometers east of the town of Rethymno

  • Sotiros and Agiou Gedeon monastery (Christ Savior and Saint Gedeon Monastery)

    Sotiros and Agiou Gedeon monastery in Rethymno prefecture is located in Margarites, 30 km approximately south of Rethymno

  • Preveli Monastery

    The Preveli monastery is located about 40 km south of Rethymno and is one of the most famous monasteries of Rethymno prefecture

  • Attali monastery

    The Attali Monastery in Rethymno prefecture is located in Bali, close to Rethymno-Heraklion highway, on the hill Agia Ipakoi and opposite the hill Pachoumi.

  • Asomaton Monastery

    The Asomaton monastery in Rethymno prefecture is located near Amari, 37 kilometers southeast of Rethymno

  • Arsaniou monastery

    The Arsaniou monastery in Rethymno prefecture is located near Pangalochori, 11 kilometers east of Rethymno and was founded in 16th century

  • Arkadi Monastery

    The Arkadi Monastery in Rethymno prefecture is located 23 kilometers east of Rethymno and is the most sacred Cretan symbol for freedom.

  • Μονή Αγίου Ονουφρίου

    Η μονή Αγίου Ονουφρίου στο νομό Ρεθύμνου  βρίσκεται στο νότιο μέρος του χωριού Ακούμια , στην περιοχή Γιαλιάς του όρους Ασιδέρωτας.

  • Monastery of Agios Antonios in Veni (Saint Anthony monastery in Veni)

    The monastery of Agios Antonios in Veni in Rethymno prefecture is located on the top of the hill Veni, near the village Voliones .

  • Agia Marina monastery

    The Agia Marina monastery in Rethymno prefecture was very close to the Chalepa monastery 46km east of Rethymno .

  • Monastery of Agia Irini

    The Monastery of Agia Irini in Rethymno prefecture, one of the oldest monasteries on Crete, is located near the homonymous village, 5 km south of Rethymno.

  • Μεγάλη Παναγία

    Η Μεγάλη Παναγία στο νομό Ρεθύμνου  είναι μια εκκλησία μέσα στην παλιά πόλη του Ρεθύμνου, στη συμβολή των οδών Εμμ. Τομπάζη και Πέτρου Μανουσάκη.

  • Kyria ton Angelon (Our Lady of the Angels)

    Kyria ton Angelon in Rethymno prefecture is the oldest operating church in the city of Rethymno in the Old Town and, particularly, on Nikiforou Foka street

  • Tessaron Martyron church

    Tessaron Martyron (Four Martyrs) in Rethymno prefecture is a church in the capital of the prefecture, east of Tessaron Martyron Square outside the Old Town.

  • Άγιος Φραγκίσκος

    Ο Άγιος Φραγκίσκος στο νομό Ρεθύμνου  είναι μια εκκλησία μέσα στο Ρέθυμνο, αποτελώντας ένα από τα πιο σημαντικά μνημεία της πόλης.

  • Agios Frangiskos (Saint Fransis Church)

    Agios Frangiskos (Saint Fransis Church) in Rethymno prefecture is a church in the city of Rethymno and one of the most important monuments of the city.

  • Monastery of Christ the Savior Koumpe (monastery of Sotira Christou Koumpe)

    The Monastery of Christ the Savior Koumpe in Rethymno prefecture is located on the western side of the hill, above the water spring in the area of Koumpe.

  • Monastery of Agios Nektarios of Anogeia (Saint Nektarios from Anogeia)

    The Monastery of Agios Nektarios of Anogeia in Rethymno prefecture is located in Anogeia, 52 km approximately far from Rethymno offering a panoramic view.

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