Church of the Virgin Mary Kera
The three-aisled Byzantine church of Kritsa with a dome, known for the frescoes of different periods that cover almost all of its surfaces.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
One kilometre from the traditional village of Kritsa stands the three-aisled, barrel-vaulted church of the Virgin Mary Kera, with a dome. Its characteristic appearance is due to the fact that it was built in different periods.
The original church, the central aisle, dates to the 13th century and is dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos. In the 14th century the two side aisles were added, dedicated to Saint Anne and to Saint Anthony.
Equally distinctive is the rich painted decoration of the interior, with some of the most important church frescoes in Crete, belonging to different periods and styles. Notable are the frescoes of Saint Anne, with particular realism and expressiveness, which include scenes from the apocryphal gospels about the Theotokos, unusual for Byzantine painting.
Highlights
- Three-aisled church of the 13th–14th century
- Frescoes of Saint Anne
- Scenes from the apocryphal gospels
- Frescoes of different periods and styles
- Operated by
- Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Λασιθίου
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3People over 65 from Greece and the EU (with ID or passport), teachers accompanying school visits, and parents accompanying primary school pupils from Greece and the EU. |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Free admission for children up to 18 years of age, with ID or passport. |
| Seniors | €3Reduced ticket for people over 65 from Greece and the EU, with ID or passport. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with a disability (67% or more) and one companion, with ID or passport and a disability certificate (KEPA or the equivalent from abroad). |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree admission for young people aged 18–25 from Greece and the EU, with ID or passport. |
Free admission: 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October, and the first and third Sunday of each month from 1 November to 31 March.
Free and reduced admission also applies to other categories defined by the Ministry of Culture.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
The church is about 5 minutes by car and about 15 minutes on foot from the village of Kritsa, and about 12 minutes by car from Agios Nikolaos.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
