Keras Kardiotissas Monastery, Chersónisos, Greece

The Eastern Orthodox Keras Kardiotissas is dedicated to Virgin Mary that is situated near the village of Kera of the Heraklion regional unit in Crete. It is built on the north slopes of Mt. Dikti, at an altitude of 650 m and a location that is approximately 50 km east of Heraklion, next to the road to Lasithi Plateau.

The exact date of the monastery's establishment is unknown. However, references to it are made in manuscripts dating from the early fourteenth century. The monastery was named after an old icon of Theotokos that according to tradition was miraculous. That icon was stolen in 1498 by a wine merchant and transferred to Rome where it is now permanently enshrined in the Church of St. Alphonsus near the Esquiline Hill. The stolen icon was replaced by another one in 1735 that is also regarded as miraculous. During the Ottoman occupation of Crete, the monastery often served as a local revolutionary center and suffered several retaliatory attacks as a result. In 1720, Kera monastery became Stauropegic (independent of the local Bishop).

The monastery is surrounded by fortified walls. The main church (katholikon) was originally built as an arch-covered single space structure and was later expanded with two narthexes and a smaller chapel. The church features murals dating to the 14th and 15th centuries.

Today, the monastery functions as a nunnery. It celebrates the birth of Mary on September 8th every year.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Mark Beasley (2 months ago)
Interesting and historical place. Was shown round by a guide who was friendly and knowledgeable. A must to visit if in Crete

Davide Nastri (2 months ago)
A peaceful, clean, peculiar place. I am not a religious person but this place really captured my attention. Worth a visit!

D S (Pilepeen) (2 months ago)
Women must wear skirt to enter. Don't worry if you don't have one. You can borrow one for free at the entrance. The monastery itself is small but interesting. You will have seen everything in 15 minutes though.

Oscar Gallego Gomez (4 months ago)
Local ingredients, delicious food. The Cretan salad is simply amazingly fresh.

Panos Official Guide (5 months ago)
Small but genuine Byzantine church and convent dated back to the 11th century. With a small exhibition of ecclesiastical items manuscripts and icons. Awesome views among the olive and pine trees high in the mountains. Definitely worth a visit!

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