Location
Church of the Archangel Michael, Sarakina
Sarakina, Chania
Church of the Archangel Michael, Sarakina – Sarakina, Chania
**Ιερός Ναός Μιχαήλ Αρχαγγέλου — Church of the Archangel Michael** The Church of the Archangel Michael (Ιερός Ναός Μιχαήλ Αρχαγγέλου) in Sarakina, in the Selino region of southwestern Crete, is one of the island’s most important Byzantine sacred monuments. It is situated among centuries-old olive groves, approximately 100 meters from the main road, on the right-hand side before entering the village. The church was built on the site of an earlier Early Christian three-aisled basilica, from which part of the apse has survived. The present church, dated to around 1325, contains exceptional frescoes attributed to the workshop of Ioannis Pagomenos, a renowned painter active in western Crete. The interior is decorated with wall paintings depicting scenes from the life of Christ, archangels, and figures of saints. Particularly notable is the depiction of Saint George on horseback accompanied by a young boy holding a chalice—a motif rarely encountered in Cretan iconography. The church features a stone iconostasis and represents an example of Byzantine architecture from the Venetian period. Access to the interior is possible by obtaining a key, which is usually kept at the local *kafenion* in the village. For admirers of Byzantine history and art, a visit to this church offers a unique opportunity to encounter the authentic cultural heritage of Crete.
Description
**Ιερός Ναός Μιχαήλ Αρχαγγέλου — Church of the Archangel Michael**
The Church of the Archangel Michael (Ιερός Ναός Μιχαήλ Αρχαγγέλου) in Sarakina, in the Selino region of southwestern Crete, is one of the island’s most important Byzantine sacred monuments. It is situated among centuries-old olive groves, approximately 100 meters from the main road, on the right-hand side before entering the village. The church was built on the site of an earlier Early Christian three-aisled basilica, from which part of the apse has survived.
The present church, dated to around 1325, contains exceptional frescoes attributed to the workshop of Ioannis Pagomenos, a renowned painter active in western Crete. The interior is decorated with wall paintings depicting scenes from the life of Christ, archangels, and figures of saints. Particularly notable is the depiction of Saint George on horseback accompanied by a young boy holding a chalice—a motif rarely encountered in Cretan iconography.
The church features a stone iconostasis and represents an example of Byzantine architecture from the Venetian period. Access to the interior is possible by obtaining a key, which is usually kept at the local *kafenion* in the village. For admirers of Byzantine history and art, a visit to this church offers a unique opportunity to encounter the authentic cultural heritage of Crete.
Location
Sarakina, Chania
Coordinates: 35.30099, 23.67697