St. Catherine of Sinai, Herakion

Open to the public: Temporarily closed
Supervised by: Holy Archdiocese of Crete
Access and walking difficulty: Difficulty rating, 1

North East of the Cathedral of St. Minas is the Nave of the monastery of St. Catherine of Sinai, succursal of the homonymous monastery. Founded in the 10thcentury, it was a one-chamber Basilica, transept with late Gothic influences,.To the Northern side of the main building, a small domed chapel displaying strong Baroque character was added, together with a narthex dedicated to the Ten Saints. Although a traveler at the end of the 15th century gives us a description of the main building at that time, it seems that what we see today is from the first half of the 16th century (shortly after the earthquake of 1508) just before El Greco began studying at St. Catherine, if indeed he ever did attend.The 16th century building, displays its western influence. It’s spiritual significance and importance is that in the 16th century the monastery operated a school that taught Philosophy, Theology, Rhetoric and Painting. According to tradition it was here, at St. Catherine’s that Domenikos Theotokopoulos - El Greco (1541–1614) was educated. Famous masters and painters taught here. Michael Damaskinos, among the most prominent at that time, most likely completed the 6 well-known icons that are on display. Today one can see a representative collection of Byzantine icons at the site, as well as Cretan Iconography of major artists including Michael. Damaskinos. Unfortunately the time-frame of about 5 years before Damaskinos, El Greco went to Italy, does not favor the theory that one was the teacher of the other. Possibly they were fellow students instead.

Map

Other Travel Guides

{tguide_phototitle_en}

Byzantine church of Panagia Kera

The Byzantine church of Panagia one of the most important and better preserved churches in Crete.

More
{tguide_phototitle_en}

Myrtia village

A small traditional Cretan village that displays characteristic samples of Cretan Architecture also the birth place of Nikos Kazantzakis

More
{tguide_phototitle_en}

Lato

Lato is considered to be the best preserved city in Classical - Hellenistic period in Crete and one of the best preserved in Greece.

More
{tguide_phototitle_en}

Asites

The two villages, Ano and Kato Asites are located at the eastern foothills of mount Ida, on the elevation of 480 and 450m. respectively.

More
{tguide_phototitle_en}

Monastery of Koudoumas

​Built the southern coast of Crete, 80 km from Iraklion

, amongst caves occupied by hermits

More
Experiences
We know best
Follow us
Ακολουθήστε μας στις σελίδες κοινωνικής δικτύωσης και μάθετε πρώτοι τα νέα μας
Contact us

Heraklion, Crete, Andreadaki 13-15
Heraklion, 712 01, Greece
Tel.: +30 2810-342222
Fax: +30 2810-342212
e-mail: touristguidesofcrete@gmail.com
ΜΗ.Τ.Ε. 1039 Ε 6061 01849 01

Newsletter
Εγγραφείτε για να λαμβάνετε πρώτη τις εξαιρετικές προσφορές μας και τα νέα της εταιρίας