Saint Minas Holy Cathedral — Attraction in Municipality of Heraklion

The Agios Minas Cathedral (Greek: ῾Ιερός Μητροπολιτικός Ναός ῾Αγίου Μηνᾶ)[1] is a Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Heraklion, Greece, serving as the seat of the Archbishop of Crete. Ιt is dedicated to Saint Menas the martyr and wonderworker (285-309 A.D.), who is the patron saint of Heraklion.

It was built over the time period of 1862-1895. The construction was interrupted during the Cretan Revolution of 1866–1869[2]. The church has a cruciform architecture with a central dome[3]. The floor plan of the church has external maximum dimensions 43,20 m length and 29.50 width. A small and old church of Agios Minas is located in proximity of the cathedral.[4] and a surface area of 1,350 m2[5]and it is the largest cathedral in Crete and one of the largest in Greece. An old and small church dedicated to Agios Minas is located in the proximity of...

Well worth a visit!

Be sure to dress appropriately as they will not let you in if not (no super short shorts, spaghetti strap tops, exposed shoulders, or mini skirts) or else to be asked to stay outside or leave.

If you've made it past the morality police, you will then walk into a beautiful world of byzantine style painted walls, an impressive iconostasis, many many ikons, reliquairies, ex-votos and even a shrine containing some part of St Minas.

It is beautiful to watch the gold and silver glisten and to explore the rich iconography of the ikons, and to see the small detail exquisitely rendered onto the ikons.

Such a visual treat. I highly recommend a visit if you...

A very beautiful ortodox church. It would be better to have a little more information in English on the spot. Agios Minas lived at the 3rd century and became the patron saint of Heraklion, his holiday is the 11th of November which is a public holiday. The square of the church has the Archiepiscopate of Crete on the right, on the left side that's the small original church of Saint Minas. This housed the Metropolis of Crete after the Ottoman times, it was built in 1735. Next to this church is located church Saint...