Heraklion, GR

Museum of Byzantine Icons and Relics, Heraklion

The Museum of Byzantine Icons and Relics of the Archdiocese of Crete exhibits a series of artworks and religious objects from different periods of the history of Crete, from the early Byzantine period to the end of the Ottoman rule in Greece. It is housed in the former Church of Saint Catherine of Sinai.

About this building

The Museum is located northeast of St. Menas Cathedral. The church building was erected in the 16th to serve a monastery. This one is connected to the 'Chapel of the 10 saints' on its north-eastern side. This chapel crowned by a dome was built in the 17th century in honour of the 10 Cretan martyrs who lost their lives at Agioi Deka during the persecution of Christians in 250 AD.

 

Key Features

  • Architecture
  • Monuments
  • Interior features
  • Atmosphere / quiet space
  • Links to national heritage

Visitors information

  • Level access to the main areas
  • Café within 500m
  • Wifi

Other nearby buildings

Agios Minas Cathedral

The Cathedral of St. Minas is an Orthodox Cathedral located in Heraklion and is the seat of the Archbishop of Crete. It began to be built in 1862, but its construction was interrupted during the Cretan Revolution of 1866 and was finally completed in early 1895.

Wikimedia Commons/Syrio

Agios Minas Chapel, Heraklion

The chapel of Agios Minas was built in 1735 and functioned as the first cathedral of Heraklion during the Ottoman rule on the island. The present Agios Minas Cathedral was completed in 1895 next to the chapel, relegating this first cathedral to the status of a church.

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