Holy Church of Panagia Almyri

The Church of Panagia Almyri lies on the eastern side of the gorge bearing the same name, about 1 km from the village of Vourvoulitis.

According to the website Orthodoxcrete, this is a double-aisled church set in the middle of a courtyard, surrounded by newly built guesthouses that accommodate the many pilgrims visiting one of the most important religious sites in the wider area.

The original church, which is the northern aisle today, was a single-nave, likely timber-roofed basilica from the Middle Byzantine period, as suggested by its architectural features. Along its long sides, both inside and out, you'll notice a series of blind arches framed with brick bands—a typical decorative element of that era.

The site took on the name Panagia Almyri due to the brackish water that flows from the ground at intervals—a rare and rather mystical feature that has long been associated with the sacredness of the location.

Archive photo: Incrediblecrete