Greece - Crete, Heraklion: Agios Minas Cathedral

The Agios Minas Cathedral is a Greek Orthodox Cathedral, serving as the seat of the Archbishop of Crete. It was built over the time period of 1862-1895. The outbreak of the Cretan revolution in 1866 demanded the stopping of its construction, which continued in 1883.

It is one of the most magnificent and impressive churches in Greece, with a capacity of 8.000 people. The church is of a cruciform type with a dome base, while internally there are also elements of a three aisle basilica. The inside of the church has gone through many changes with new additions. The religious painting of the church was assigned to St. Kartakis, who followed faithfully the principles and the models of the Byzantine icon painting.

The The church is dedicated to Saint Minas, the patron saint of Heraklion during the Turkish period. Foundations of the imposing cathedral of Saint Minas were laid in 1862 as a token of gratitude by the citizens of Heraklion for the saint's protection of the city. Although Crete was still under Turkish rule the cathedral was inaugurated in 1895.

To the left of the cathedral stands the original little church of Saint Minas (‘mikros Agios Minas’ as the locals say), which was built in 1735 and housed the Metropolis of Crete for the first time after the Turkish occupation.
(see PiP 1).