Panagia Kera Church
Kritsa, Agios Nikolaos, Greece, 72100
Crete has more than its fair share of ancient monasteries, churches, ruins, and the like, and yet Panageria Kera still stands out. Containing the finest-preserved Byzantine-era frescoes on the island, this 13th-century church is a must-visit for travelers interested in architecture, religion, history, and European culture.
The basics
Panagia Kera Church is just outside the cute village of Kritsa, on the first slopes of the Katharo Plateau. The central nave of the church and its frescoes date back to the 13th century—with colors that are unbelievably vivid, even 800 years later. A small restaurant with an open-air patio sits just steps from the church, offering visitors a chance to pause and soak in all the history that just swept before their eyes.
Things to know before you go
To protect the frescoes, photography of any sort (even without flash) is prohibited.
Leave time to stroll around Kritsa, one of the oldest villages in Crete.
Some tours combine Panagia Kera with Zeus’ Cave and/or Spinalonga, which are some of Crete’s best historical stops.
How to get there
Panagia Kera Church is about 0.5 miles (1 kilometer) from the village of Kritsa, which itself is about 6 miles (10 kilometers) from the larger town of Agios Nikolaos. There’s a small parking lot at the church, but tours also stop here if you’d like to skip the drive.
When to get there
Panagia Kera Church is typically open from morning to mid-afternoon every day except Tuesday. Since tours come here, and the church is quite small, it can get a bit crowded. Try to arrive early in the morning to get the most elbow room.
Crete’s ancient wonders
This area of Crete, especially in the higher elevations near the Lasithi and Katharo plateaus, holds places rich in ancient history. Beyond Panagia Kera Church, don’t miss the nearby ancient city of Lato, as well as sites such as Zeus’ Cave and Kremasta Monastery. Hop on a history-based tour to make traveling back 1,000 years or more easy.
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