Religious Tourism

The religious conscience of the Cretans is manifested in the numerous Orthodox monuments that are found in so many places of Crete and are entwined with the island’s turbulent history, as well as in the distinctive local customs of each region.

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An evocative tour in Crete, the land Orthodoxy and tradition

The turbulent history of the island is reflected in its great religious monuments, which tell unique stories and make Crete a top destination for religious tourism. In every corner of the island there is a place of Orthodox worship, from imposing churches in the heart of towns and villages to small, humble chapels perched on the steepest cliffs and monasteries-fortresses in the most inaccessible and isolated places.

Present in the everyday life of the Cretans, religious tradition is part of their identity. The Apostle Paul-Pavlos lived and taught in Crete, preaching Christianity. Many monasteries played a central role in the struggle for freedom, while the Cretan hagiographies that adorn the monuments are a legacy of high ecclesiastical art.

Religious Tradition

The first preachers of Christianity in Crete were the Jewish-Cretans, who attended Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem.

Religious Monuments

From one end of Crete to the other, you will find unique religious monuments of high artistic and historical value

Religious customs

In Crete, with its strong religious tradition, customs survive to this day, many of which have their roots in the distant ancient past.

Religious Art

Michail Damaskinos, Andreas Ritzos, Andreas Pavias, Theofanis the Cretan. Names identified with the Cretan tradition in the art of hagiography, which began in the 15th century, at a time when the artists of Constantinople were scattered in places not yet occupied by the Ottomans.