Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Patsos

In the picturesque village of Patsos, located in the Municipality of Amari, one can discover the Church of Panagia.

According to the Ministry of Culture, the church is dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. It was originally classified among the Middle Byzantine churches (11th-12th century), with significant reconstruction undertaken in the 14th century.

The church lies in ruins, its superstructure having collapsed in an unknown era, yet it still stands as an impressive monument of considerable size. It stands out from the small, single-aisled churches that dotted the Cretan countryside during the Venetian occupation. From early on, it was associated with the Kallergi family, a prominent family under Venetian rule, which held extensive estates in western Crete.

Photos: Wikimedia Commons