Sacred Church of Panagia Protoseptemvriani

Just a stone's throw from the renowned monumental olive tree of Azoria and the nearby Minoan settlement lies the Church of Panagia Protoseptemvriani, also known as Panagia of Skali.

According to the Holy Metropolis of Ieraptyni and Sitia Metropolis of Ieraptyni and Sitia, the church is a single-aisled vaulted structure, dating between the 14th and 16th centuries. This dating is supported by the surviving architectural elements and the embedded plates on the west facade above the entrance. During the Turkish occupation, the northern area of the church served as a cemetery. The church is steeped in legend, with the most notable being the story of its fabled golden bell.

The church commemorates the feast of Indiktos on 1st September.

Photo: Wikipedia