Epanosifis Monastery, Archánes-Asteroúsia, Greece

Epanosifis (Upper Sifis) is one of the largest and richest monasteries on Crete. It flourished during the era of Ottoman rule and is dedicated to Saint George.

The structure of the monastery is reminiscent of 17th century secular Cretan architecture with independent cells, one built next to each other. The Refectory and the priory are located west of the church.

The surviving manuscripts, dating back to the 18th century onwards, prove that this was the greatest period of flourishing for the monastery, during which it was one of the premier intellectual centres of the island.

During the revolution of 1821, 18 monks were killed and the monastery was abandoned, before being reconstructed during the era of Egyptian rule.

Visitors to the small museum of religious art can see icons, holy relics and manuscripts from the 18th century containing both texts and exceptional illustrations.

The great number of monks at the Monastery confirms the great monastic tradition of Crete.

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Destination Crete

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Becky Wright (2 years ago)
Stunning and very interesting.

Efstathios Molyvas (2 years ago)
Paradise

Theo (3 years ago)
Thank you for allowing us to visit.

Memmou Aristi (3 years ago)
Very beautiful place. It worths a visit.

Antonis M. (3 years ago)
Another historic monastery Outside Heraklion, you should visit it to see the beautiful church and the view that they have.

Epanosifis Monastery

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Church of St Donatus