Agios Minas Cathedral, Heraklion (must see)

The Cathedral of Saint Minas stands as a testament to the city's deep connection with its patron saint. Adjacent to the cathedral, the smaller and older "Little Saint Minas" church offers visitors another glimpse into the city's religious history. On the opposite side of the square, the Church of Saint Catherine and the vibrant square named after it provide a lively backdrop with numerous cafes, restaurants, and shops.

Dedicated to Saint Minas, whose feast day is celebrated on November 11th as a public holiday, the cathedral holds religious and historical significance. The chapel boasts an exquisite iconostasis adorned with art and icons crafted by the skilled painter Georgios Castrophylacas. The decision to construct this magnificent church arose during a period of successive Cretan revolts against the Ottoman Turks.

Legend has it that Saint Minas intervened on Easter Sunday in 1826, protecting the city from an attempted storm by the Muslim population during an evening service. The intervention, in reality, involved the Turkish Ayan Agha persuading the Turks to stand down. Designed by the self-taught architect Athanassios Moussis, who arrived from Constantinople for the project, construction began in 1862 but was interrupted during the 1866-1869 revolution. The cathedral was finally completed in 1895, showcasing an impressive combination of interior splendor and exterior grandeur.

Despite Saint Minas being the city's patron saint, the name Minas is relatively uncommon due to historical practices. During the Turkish Occupation, children born out of wedlock and unable to be raised by their parents were left on the cathedral's steps. The church, adopting and caring for these children, would name them Minas. This historical practice has contributed to the infrequent use of the name Minas in the region.