Myriokefala - Panagia Andifonitria

Crete, the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, is located about 100 km south of the Peloponnese. Crete was the center of Europe's first advanced civilization, the Minoans, from 3000 to 1400 BC. The Minoan civilization was overrun by the Mycenaean civilization from mainland Greece. Crete was later ruled by Rome, then successively by the Byzantine Empire, the Byzantine Empire again, the Venetian Republic, and the Ottoman Empire. In 1898 Crete, whose people had for some time wanted to join the Greek state, achieved independence from the Ottomans, formally becoming the Cretan State. Crete became part of Greece in December 1913.


Myriokefala is a village located about 20 km of Rethymno, on the outskirts of the Kryoneritis mountain.

The monastery of Panagia Andifonitria is located in the centre of the village and is still an important pilgrimage destination in the region. The cross-domed church, which was heavily modified until the 20th century, was founded around the year 1000. The square central building is extended in the west to form a two-bay Latin cross.

The older frescoes from the beginning of the 11th century are mainly found in the dome and in the southern arm of the cross. The second layer of frescoes dates from the end of the 12th century.

Palm Sunday / Matthew 21:1-11 / Dated to the late 12th century.