Nea Alikarnassos: Churches and Culture

The Church of Agios Nikolaos stands in the central square of Nea Alikarnassos. When choosing a hotel, you can focus on the local church history and include Heraklion as an additional cultural setting.

Churches and religious history in the town

The residents of Nea Alikarnassos built the first wooden Church of Agios Nikolaos in 1927. The church is located in the town’s central square. The icon of Panagia Kamariani is also part of the history of Nea Alikarnassos: it was brought to the Church of Agios Nikolaos. A celebration in honour of Panagia Kamariani takes place here every year, drawing many people to the religious festivities. If you wish to plan your trip around the celebration, check the specific date in advance.

The Church of the Most Holy Theotokos was founded in 1986 and completed and consecrated on 29 June 2003. The local church history therefore includes the first wooden Church of Agios Nikolaos, dating from 1927, as well as the founding and consecration of a church in later decades. The dates place these historical milestones in chronological order without conflating them into a single construction history.

Heraklion: museums and monuments

In the wider destination of Heraklion, the Historical Museum of Crete has two paintings by El Greco, dating from 1569 and 1570; they are the artist’s only works on Crete. The museum also has a dedicated collection of personal belongings and manuscripts belonging to Cretan writer Nikos Kazantzakis. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum presents evidence from every period of Cretan prehistory and history, from the Neolithic period to Roman times. The focus is therefore quite different: paintings and the Kazantzakis collection are set alongside a chronological span from the Neolithic period to Roman times.

Heraklion’s buildings also reflect distinct historical periods. The Loggia is a Venetian building dating from the 16th century. Koules was built by the Venetians to protect the pier and harbour. The Basilica of San Marco now houses the municipal art gallery, which hosts art and craft exhibitions; its programme may change. Heraklion Cathedral, Agios Minas, is dedicated to the city’s patron saint and is one of the largest churches in Greece. The Basilica of Agia Ekaterini was built in 1555 and was home to a renowned school for Renaissance painters and writers in the 16th and 17th centuries.

For another perspective on the city, visitors can walk along Heraklion’s city walls and enjoy views over the city. The pedestrianised 25 August Street runs between the Old Harbour and Lion Square. Access and use conditions may change; check the current conditions before your visit.

Rural Heraklion and regional highlights

The rural area of the Municipality of Heraklion offers different highlights from the urban museums and buildings. There are routes for walking, cycling and driving, opportunities for climbing and caving, as well as forest trails. Vineyards and olive groves are part of the landscape. The rural area also has traditional restaurants serving dishes made with fresh local produce. The wider Heraklion region therefore encompasses both the city’s cultural attractions and the landscapes and activities of the municipality’s rural areas.

Discover more destinations: Agioi Deka, Karteros, Vorizia, Pompia, Skalani, Minoa Pediada, Damasta, Agia Irini

For the wider travel overview: Heraklion.