Religion

Most of the Cretan Monasteries have played an important historical role during the long struggles of the Cretans for freedom.

Crete has many monasteries and chapels with beautiful frescoes reflecting the evolution and trends of the Cretan School of Byzantine Painting. Moreover, most of them have played an important historical role during the long struggles of the Cretans for freedom.

During the several revolutionary movements, the Cretan people had no military forts for defending the enemies. So, they used the caves, the high inaccessible mountains and the gorges of Crete. Apart from these, the monasteries from spiritual centers were turned into fortresses and bases for military operations.

The struggles within the monasteries against the enemies was not only a struggle against the conquerors, but also for Christianity. There is no exaggeration to argue that without the monasteries of Crete, the great struggles of 1821 might have not been fruitful.

Most monasteries in Crete can be visited by anyone and usually there are specific visiting hours. Remember that you should be decently dressed and sometimes you are not allowed to take photos.