Church of Christ the Saviour, Meskla

Gallery. Selected fresco and architectural details.

The Church of Christ the Saviour (Ναός του Σωτήρα Χριστού) in the village of Meskla, situated in a lush valley at the foot of the White Mountains in western Crete, is a small yet remarkable late-Byzantine church. Built most likely in the fourteenth century, it stands out for its valuable ensemble of frescoes attributed to the Cretan painter Michael Veneris. The painted decoration includes scenes from the life of Christ, depictions of saints, and the traditional Pantokrator in the dome. Despite the passage of time, the frescoes retain vivid colours and precise details, offering an important source of insight into the local iconographic tradition. The church is built on a rectangular plan, with a single nave and a characteristic apse. Hidden among olive and cypress trees, it remains a quiet place of contemplation and a significant landmark in Crete’s sacred heritage, blending spirituality, history, and art within an intimate rural setting.

The gallery contains 10 photographs.