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The monastery and Church of Saint Peter were built by Dominican monks in the early 13th century, and the church contains the only remaining 15th century frescoes in Irakleio.
Over the past decades, vespers was held on June 25 in the ruins of the church, more as an effort to keep the faith alive rather than a liturgy in the ritual of the Orthodox Church.
This year, however, after extensive repairs and restoration, a Great Vespers was held on June 28 and, according to Bishop Evgenios of Knossos, people thronged to the two Vespers services and two liturgies.
The church is one of the oldest monuments of its kind, with great importance for the 13th century architecture of not only Aegean Greece but all of Europe.
Restoration began in 1991, and was completed just a few short months ago.
Restored to its original form and open to the public as a museum, the church has been designated by the Central Archaeological Council as a commemorative monument, while discussions are currently taking place for other uses, including a Church of Greece proposal that it be used as a cultural venue open to the citizens and also a venue for inter-Christian, inter-Orthodox and inter-faith conferences.
The church of Sts Peter and Paul was built during the first years of the Venetian rule as the catholicon (chapel) of the Dominican monastery, and was violently converted into the mosque of Sultan Ibrahim under the Ottoman occupation. At some point it was used as a woodshop and even a cinema. Much later it was purchased by the parish of Aghios (St.) Dimitrios to function as a church.
The original church, a single-aisle basilica, collapsed from an earthquake, circa 1303, and was rebuilt, while chapels were added on its southern side between the 14th to 16th centuries.
The original church, a single-aisle basilica, collapsed from an earthquake, circa 1303, and was rebuilt, while chapels were added on its southern side between the 14th to 16th centuries.
During those centuries, the church collapsed at least three more times before being converted into a mosque in 1669 under the Ottoman rule, at which time a minaret was added at its south-western corner. In the 19th century, after another collapse, a dome was built and the northern wall was reconstructed. After the end of the Ottoman rule the church was used as a cinema, and later as a wood-shop, before restoration began in 1991 of the church proper and two of the chapels.
If you are looking for a long or short break to Chania, then book a cheap flight with easyJet. Chania is found on the western coast of the beautiful island of Crete. Although it was heavily bombed during World War II it is still considered to be one of the most beautiful towns on Crete.
Top Ferry Company in Internal - External trips for 2009 became the Anek Lines, with a rate of 85.78% in the audience awards, organized by international travel magazine Conde Nast Traveller.
Six tons of tomatoes, 3 tons of cucumbers, 2 tons of peppers, 800 kilos of onions, 500 kilos of feta cheese, 500 kg of olive oil, salt, oregano and the fun and passion of hundreds of volunteers will take along to be prepared the world's largest salad weighing over 12 tonnes!!!
Beautiful Ierapetra in the south of Europe is waiting for everyone to eat the biggest salad, to enjoy the beauty of the landscape and especially to experience the hospitality of the Cretan people that they see visitors as a friend.
Five new points for free wireless broadband internet access at Chania town in Crete:
Second position for Greece in blue flags among the 41 countries around the world. Throughout Greece were awarded 421 beaches and the Prefecture of Lassithi in Crete has the most beaches with blue flags in Greece.