Epanosifis Monastery, Archánes-Asteroúsia, Greece

Epanosifis (Upper Sifis) is one of the largest and richest monasteries on Crete. It flourished during the era of Ottoman rule and is dedicated to Saint George.

The structure of the monastery is reminiscent of 17th century secular Cretan architecture with independent cells, one built next to each other. The Refectory and the priory are located west of the church.

The surviving manuscripts, dating back to the 18th century onwards, prove that this was the greatest period of flourishing for the monastery, during which it was one of the premier intellectual centres of the island.

During the revolution of 1821, 18 monks were killed and the monastery was abandoned, before being reconstructed during the era of Egyptian rule.

Visitors to the small museum of religious art can see icons, holy relics and manuscripts from the 18th century containing both texts and exceptional illustrations.

The great number of monks at the Monastery confirms the great monastic tradition of Crete.

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Destination Crete

Visby Cathedral

Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.

Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.

There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.

Becky Wright (2 years ago)
Stunning and very interesting.

Efstathios Molyvas (2 years ago)
Paradise

Theo (3 years ago)
Thank you for allowing us to visit.

Memmou Aristi (3 years ago)
Very beautiful place. It worths a visit.

Antonis M. (3 years ago)
Another historic monastery Outside Heraklion, you should visit it to see the beautiful church and the view that they have.

Epanosifis Monastery

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