Kera Kardiotissa Monastery

The basics

There’s a small fee to visit the Kera Kardiotissa Monastery, which allows you to explore the Byzantine church, admire the frescoes, most of which show scenes from the life of Mary, and see the icon—which is an 18th-century replacement of the original, and believed to work miracles. It can be helpful to visit with a guide who can tell the icon’s story and point out subtle details.

Most travelers visit from north coast resort areas like Malia, Heraklion, Hersonissos, and Agios Nikolaos. Tours generally also take in the Lassithi Plateau and the Dikteon Cave, known in mythology as the birthplace of Zeus.

Things to know before you go

• The Kera Kardiotissa Monastery is a good choice for history buffs and art lovers.

• Modest dress is important when visiting the monastery. You should cover your legs and shoulders, though wraps are available if you forget.

• To protect the medieval frescoes, taking photos inside the church is not allowed.

• Steps on entry mean the Kera Kardiotissa Monastery is not wheelchair accessible.

How to get there

The Kera Kardiotissa Monastery is tucked away in the mountains above the Lassithi Plateau, about an 8-mile (13-kilometer) drive south of Malia or about 28 miles (45 kilometers) southeast of Heraklion. There are infrequent buses to and from Heraklion, but most travelers drive there or join a tour with transportation; the location is too remote for taxis.

When to get there

The monastery is open every day, with reduced hours in the winter season. The views are particularly lovely in April and May when the surrounding landscapes are green, and the monastery comes alive for its feast day honoring the Nativity of Mary on September 8.

Crete’s most fascinating monasteries

Crete’s rugged landscapes have offered monks shelter for many centuries. Reach the ruins of the Katholiko Monastery, one of Crete’s oldest monasteries, by an atmospheric hike, and see the cave where St. John the Hermit is believed to have lived. The Holy Monastery of Preveli pairs dramatic sea views with a history as a center of resistance. And the remains of 16th-century Arkadi Monastery have a powerful tale to tell: It was here that Cretans, besieged by Ottoman soldiers, blew up gunpowder kegs, destroying themselves and their attackers.