Church of Christ the Saviour and Saint John at Eleftherna 
The double church of the Transfiguration of Christ the Saviour and Saint John stands in the cemetery of Ancient Eleftherna, in a lush location near a freshwater spring. The original church was constructed in the late 12th century over the remains of an Early Christian basilica.
The Church of Christ the Saviour is a small single-nave building crowned by a massive cylindrical dome. A high-quality fresco of Christ Pantocrator, probably dating from the early 13th century, survives inside the dome, while a tomb can be seen in the floor of the church.
Several alterations were made to the building during the following centuries. These included the construction of two carved doorways with Gothic-influenced arches, probably during the 14th century. The adjoining aisle dedicated to Saint John was added later, possibly in the 16th century, forming the double church that survives today.
The location of the church within the cemetery, the remains of the Early Christian basilica and traces of other buildings demonstrate the long religious use of the site. It has also been suggested that the complex was connected with a monastery of medieval Eleftherna.
The church is located in the modern settlement of Ancient Eleftherna, near the extensive archaeological site of the ancient city.
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Additional Info
- Location: Rethymnon Prefecture
- Type: Church
- Accessibility: Paved road
- Peak Period: Venetian Era (1204 AD - 1669 AD)
